Srinagar, May 23 (KNO): Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that can pose significant risks to both mother and child, doctors said on Friday.
Dr Nilofar Akhter, a gynaecologist at DHSK, speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that preeclampsia typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women with previously normal blood pressure.
She explained that several factors may contribute to its development, including improper blood vessel formation in the placenta (which can restrict blood flow), family history, immune system dysfunction, first-time pregnancies, multiple pregnancies (such as twins or more), obesity, age over 35, and a history of chronic hypertension, diabetes or kidney diseases.
Dr Rukhsana Akhter, another gynaecologist, warned that if left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to severe complications such as eclampsia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP syndrome), stroke and organ damage in the mother. For the baby, risks include preterm birth, low birth weight, placental abruption and stillbirth.
She added that while preeclampsia cannot always be prevented, early detection and proper prenatal care significantly reduce the associated risks.
The doctors advised pregnant women to monitor their blood pressure regularly, check for protein in urine, watch for excessive weight gain and adopt a healthy lifestyle. They also recommended calcium supplements and urged women to report symptoms such as swelling of hands and face, severe headaches, blurred vision, or sudden weight gain.
Although preeclampsia is a life-threatening condition, awareness, timely diagnosis and guided management can ensure a safer pregnancy for both mother and child, the doctors stressed—(KNO)