Causes
The exact causes of pregnancy poisoning have not yet been clarified. There are several hypotheses in which the placenta plays an important role in the development of the disease. It is assumed that a reduced blood flow in the placenta leads to the release of toxic substances that trigger a vasospasm, which manifests itself in the form of increased blood pressure in the mother.
This, in turn, leads to kidney damage, with increased protein excretion, liver damage, a HELLP syndrome and damage to the central nervous system, with resulting seizures. The chronic reduced blood flow in the placenta also carries the risk of child growth and developmental disorders. However, the following risk factors have been proven to be safe for pregnancy poisoning: obesity (BMI >30), age over 40 years, known hypertension, pre-existing diabetes mellitus, a family history of gestation, existing kidney disease and certain autoimmune diseases, including antiphospholipid syndrome. Multiple pregnancies, or genetic disorders such as trisomies, can also increase the risk of developing pregnancy poisoning.Women who have already suffered pregnancy poisoning also have an increased risk of recurrence.
Symptoms
Symptoms of pregnancy poisoning in the mother are mainly: Due to the chronic reduced blood circulation and functional disorder of the placenta, growth and developmental disorders in the child can occur, premature placental dissolution, with premature birth or miscarriage as a result. If any of these symptoms of pregnancy poisoning occur, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible to initiate countermeasures.
- Water retention in the body
- Increased proteinuria
- Up to acute kidney failure
- Severe right upper abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Visual disorders
- Light and noise sensitivity
- Seizures as a result of CNS damage.
Pregnancy poisoning can usually be detected and treated in time as part of preventive medical checkups.
The mother’s blood pressure and weight are checked regularly and the urine is examined for possible urinary tract infections and proteinuria using a urine stick. In addition, an ultrasound scan is performed to assess the growth of the child, the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid. If the ultrasound reveals any abnormal nagging that indicates pregnancy poisoning, a Doppler sonography is performed.
This is a special ultrasound examination of the uterine and placental vessels, as well as the fetal brain vessels, in which the risk of pre-eclampsia can be assessed, as well as possible reduced blood flow and functional disorders of the placenta. The CTG monitors fetal heart functions. Ophthalmological examinations are also indicated to rule out retinal hemorrhages and papilloedema, which can be an early indication of increased intracranial pressure due to elevated blood pressure.
A blood test can also be used to determine elevated liver values and blood clotting disorders in the context of HELLP syndrome. If the ultrasound reveals any abnormal nagging that indicates pregnancy poisoning, a Doppler sonography is performed. This is a special ultrasound examination of the uterine and placental vessels, as well as the fetal brain vessels, in which the risk of pre-eclampsia can be assessed, as well as possible reduced blood flow and functional disorders of the placenta.
The CTG monitors fetal heart functions. Ophthalmological examinations are also indicated to rule out retinal hemorrhages and papilloedema, which can be an early indication of increased intracranial pressure due to elevated blood pressure. A blood test can also be used to determine elevated liver values and blood clotting disorders in the context of HELLP syndrome.
