Hypertension (high blood pressure) in pregnancy (hypertensive illness of pregnancy, HES) leading symptom.
- Hypertension (a blood pressure of ≥ 140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic on two measurements taken 4-6 hours apart after 20 weeks’ gestation (SSW) in a pregnant woman with a previously normal blood pressure → hypertensive pregnancy illness, HES)
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate preeclampsia:
Leading symptoms
- Edema (water retention) in non-dependent parts of the body such as the hands or face.
- Weight gain of > 1 kg/week in the third trimester (third trimester of pregnancy).
- Pulmonary edema (accumulation of water in the lungs).
- Proteinuria (increased excretion of protein in the urine).
- Upper abdominal discomfort
- Kidney dysfunction
- Liver dysfunction
- Fetal growth disorders
- Changes in the maternal blood count
- Neurological disorders such as headache, visual disturbances, diplopia (double vision, double vision) or restlessness and nausea.
By definition, the above symptoms occur after the 20th week of pregnancy. Notice. There are also gestational edema and gestational proteinuria [pregnancy-induced] without hypertension (ICD-10: O12.-). The following symptoms and complaints may indicate HELLP syndrome:
Leading symptoms
- Severe feeling of illness
- Abdominal pain in the right and middle upper abdomen [may occur before laboratory evidence of HELLP syndrome].
- Nausea, vomiting
- Visual disturbances such as diplopia (double vision, double images) or eye flickering
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia).
- Hyperreflexia – appearance of increased muscle reflexes.
- Thrombocytopenia – decrease in blood platelets.
- Increase in liver parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT), LDH and bilirubin.
- Clouding of consciousness to coma
Notice: In the second half of pregnancy, upper abdominal pain or retrosternal pain should always rule out HELLP syndrome
