What is pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive state that can occur during or following birth. While high
blood pressure may be common in other comorbidites, pre-eclampsia is defined as new onset
hypertension accompanied with protein in the urine (proteinuria) (Karrar et al., 2024).
Hypertension in pregnant patients is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or greater
and a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or greater (UpToDate, 2025). Pre-eclampsia occurs
most often during labor, but can also occur up to 20 weeks postpartum.
Signs and Symptoms
Pre-eclampsia is defined as new onset hypertension of 140/90 mmHg or greater. This is
also accompanied with protein in the urine and/or signs of organ failure. Pre-eclampsia can lead
to eclampsia, which can cause tonic-clonic seizures, or HELLP syndrome, which is a life-
threatening condition that is defined as hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and a low platelet
count. Common signs or symptoms to also assess for in pre-eclampsia include deep tendon
reflexes, headaches, and blurred vision.
Detecting and Managing Pre-Eclampsia
Routine prenatal visits are essential in determining a patient’s baseline and can help
detect any early signs of abnormalities during pregnancy. It’s essential to routinely monitor a
patient’s blood pressure during and following labor to ensure that there aren’t any changes to a
patient’s baseline blood pressure. This is generally the first indication that a patient is developingpre-eclampsia. It’s also important to test the urine for proteins and monitor for any changes in
vision or new headaches. While protein in the urine may be common for some, it can be a cause
for concern if paired with other signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia. Exaggerated deep tendon
reflexes are also a good sign of pre-eclampsia, indicating low magnesium levels in the blood.
To treat pre-eclampsia, magnesium sulfate is typically given intravenously to prevent
seizures and antihypertensive medications are given to control the patient’s blood pressure (Mayo
Clinic, 2022). The patient should be closely monitored after to prevent progression of the
condition.
What can happen if there is substandard care and if the proper detection and management
is not provided?
Failure to recognize or treat pre-eclampsia can lead to organ failure and even death. As
mentioned, pre-eclampsia can further develop into eclampsia or even HELLP syndrome, which
can cause damage to vital organs. It is essential for health care providers to perform routine
assessments and closely monitor vital signs in a laboring patient and in a patient who just gave
birth. Frequent focused assessments can help to avoid serious health complications or even death
in patients.
If you believe you or someone close to you has had substandard medical care that caused
you harm in the recognition and/or proper treatment of pre-eclammpsia, call our office for a
free consultation with one of our experienced medical malpractice lawyers, 215-557-7500.References
Karrar SA, Martingano DJ, Hong PL. Preeclampsia. [Updated 2024 Feb 25]. In: StatPearls
[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570611/
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, April 15). Preeclampsia.
Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355751
Preeclampsia: Clinical features and diagnosis. UpToDate.
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/preeclampsia-clinical-features-and-diagnosis
