preeclampsia

or pre-e·clamp·si·a

[ pree-i-klamp-see-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Pathology. a form of toxemia of pregnancy, characterized by hypertension, fluid retention, and albuminuria, sometimes progressing to eclampsia.

First recorded in 1920–25; pre- + eclampsia

Preeclampsia, a more common related disorder, is characterized by a large rise in blood pressure and failing kidneys.

Research shows that more than half the women who experience preeclampsia do not know anything about these conditions.

Preeclampsia, or hypertension of pregnancy, can cause stroke, seizures, liver rupture, respiratory failure and maternal death.

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