pre-eclampsia
Noun: A serious medical condition that can occur during pregnancy, typically after the 20th week. It is characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) and significant amounts of protein in the urine (proteinuria or albuminuria), often accompanied by severe swelling (edema) due to fluid retention. If left untreated, it can progress to the life-threatening condition known as eclampsia.
"Pre-eclampsia" is used exclusively as a medical term to describe this specific pregnancy complication. It is a countable noun. - The primary concern for the mother in her third trimester is the development of pre-eclampsia. - Regular prenatal checkups are essential for the early detection of pre-eclampsia.
- The doctor diagnosed her with pre-eclampsia and recommended immediate bed rest.
- Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal illness worldwide.
- Symptoms of pre-eclampsia include severe headaches, vision changes, and upper abdominal pain.
- "To develop pre-eclampsia": This is the most common verb collocation.
- She is at higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia because she is pregnant with twins.
- "Severe pre-eclampsia": A classification indicating more serious symptoms and higher risk.
- The case was upgraded to severe pre-eclampsia, necessitating hospitalization.
- Eclampsia (noun): The severe, life-threatening progression of pre-eclampsia, involving seizures or coma.
- Preeclamptic (adjective): Describing a patient or condition related to pre-eclampsia.
- The preeclamptic patient was monitored closely in the labor and delivery unit.
- HELLP syndrome (noun): A severe variant of pre-eclampsia involving Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count.
- Toxemia (of pregnancy): An older, now less specific term that was historically used for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH): A related term, but PIH can refer to high blood pressure without the presence of protein in the urine, which is a key diagnostic criterion for pre-eclampsia.
This term has only one specific medical meaning. It is distinct from general high blood pressure during pregnancy (gestational hypertension). The defining feature is the combination of hypertension and proteinuria.
- abnormal state of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and fluid retention and albuminuria; can lead to eclampsia if untreated