Causes of Preeclampsia

Despite extensive research, scientists still do not know the preeclampsia causes. However, they have identified certain risk factors that increase a woman's chances of developing it. These factors include being obese prior to pregnancy, having chronic hypertension, and being pregnant with more than one baby.

What Causes Preeclampsia?

At this point, despite extensive research, preeclampsia research scientists do not know the cause or causes of preeclampsia (also known as pregnancy-induced hypertension, toxemia of pregnancy, or acute hypertensive disease of pregnancy). They do know, however, that the result of preeclampsia is a narrowing of blood vessels (called arteriolar constriction or vasospasm). This narrowing of blood vessels affects how much blood can get to different parts of the body. Research has shown that in women with preeclampsia, blood flow to the kidneys, brain, liver, retina, and placenta are decreased.
 

Know the Risk Factors

While not causes of preeclampsia, doctors do know that certain factors will increase a woman's chances of developing it.
 These factors are known as preeclampsia risk factors. These risk factors include:
 
  • Being obese prior to pregnancy
 
  • Being pregnant under the age of 20 or over the age of 40
 
  • Being pregnant with more than one baby
 
 
 
  • Having developed high blood pressure or preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy (especially if these conditions occurred early in the pregnancy).
     

Add
Email
Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Other Articles in This eMedTV Presentation
Referring Pages Articles