| Preeclampsia develops for unknown reasons in 5% of pregnancies after 20 weeks gestation, and presents with hypertension, proteinuria, and edema. In mild cases, it is asymptomatic by history and on physical exam, but normally causes rapid weight gain, edema in the hands and face, headache, epigastric pain, visual disturbances, and hyperreflexia. The patient who was normotensive will present with a blood pressure of greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg. [5]
Laboratory studies will reveal decreased platelets, normal or mild increases in creatinine, increased liver function tests that include ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Urinalysis will reveal a 2+ proteinuria on dipstick, or a 24-hour urine collection will show greater than 300 mg of protein. |