Overview
Overview & Diagnostic Criteria
Preeclampsia: Hypertension arising at ≥20 weeks gestation PLUS either: proteinuria (≥300 mg/24h or spot P:Cr ≥0.3) OR severe features (in absence of proteinuria).
Preeclampsia: Hypertension arising at ≥20 weeks gestation PLUS either: proteinuria (≥300 mg/24h or spot P:Cr ≥0.3) OR severe features (in absence of proteinuria). Leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Affects 3–5% of pregnancies. Pathophysiology: Failure of spiral artery remodeling → high-resistance uteroplacental blood flow → placental ischemia → release of anti-angiogenic factors (sFlt-1 — soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1, inhibits VEGF/PlGF) → widespread maternal endothelial dysfunction → hypertension, proteinuria, edema, organ dysfunction.