Severe preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is considered severe when:
- Blood pressure is greater than 160/110 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) on at least two occasions, at least 6 hours apart.
- The amount of protein in the urine is greater than 5 g in a 24-hour period.
- Urine output drops to less than 500 mL over 24 hours or is consistently less than 30 mL per hour.
- Symptoms such as upper right abdominal pain, vision problems, or severe headaches develop.
- Evidence of fluid in the lungs appears along with a reduced platelet count.
- HELLP syndrome develops. This is a life-threatening liver disorder thought to be a type of severe preeclampsia.
- The fetus is not growing at the rate expected (intrauterine growth restriction, or IUGR).
- Amniotic fluid volume has decreased (oligohydramnios).
| Author: | Sandy Jocoy, RN | Last Updated: November 14, 2008 |
| Medical Review: |
Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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