Causes of Preeclampsia
Causes of Preeclampsia (Diseases Database):
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Preeclampsia
that are listed by the Diseases Database:
Source: Diseases Database
Preeclampsia as a complication of other conditions:
Other conditions that might have
Preeclampsia as a complication may,
potentially, be an underlying cause of Preeclampsia.
Our database lists the following as having
Preeclampsia as a complication of that condition:
Preeclampsia as a symptom:
Conditions listing Preeclampsia
as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Preeclampsia.
Our database lists the following as having
Preeclampsia as a symptom of that condition:
What causes Preeclampsia?
Article excerpts about the
causes of Preeclampsia:
REPORT of the WORKING GROUP on RESEARCH on HYPERTENSION DURING PREGNANCY: NHLBI (Excerpt)
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome in which there is
increased vascular responsiveness to vasoconstrictor stimuli and activation of
the coagulation cascade. The initial insult appears to be reduced placental
perfusion frequently due to abnormal implantation of the blastocyst and abnormal
remodeling of the maternal vessels that supply the intervillous space. These
phenomena lead to decreased perfusion of the placenta and are considered by some
to represent stage one of a two-stage process. Stage two refers to development
of the maternal and fetal syndrome of preeclampsia. At present, the link between
stages is not clear. It is evident that reduced placental perfusion does not
always result in the maternal syndrome, and that maternal factors also are
required. Genetic polymorphisms, fetal signals, and increased hypoxia at the
maternal fetal interface likely play a role in the interaction of reduced
placental perfusion and the maternal constitution to generate the preeclampsia
syndrome. Many of these predisposing maternal factors are also risk factors for
cardiovascular disease in later life. For example, coagulation abnormalities,
dyslipidemia, increased inflammatory markers, and evidence of oxidative stress
and endothelial activation are associated with increased cardiovascular disease
risk, and also are detectable in women who develop preeclampsia, occurring
before the overt clinical symptoms appear.
(Source: excerpt from REPORT of the WORKING GROUP on RESEARCH on HYPERTENSION DURING PREGNANCY: NHLBI)
REPORT of the WORKING GROUP on RESEARCH on HYPERTENSION DURING PREGNANCY: NHLBI (Excerpt)
Some women
with preeclampsia also have autoimmune disorders. There are several promising
animal models that suggest a role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of
preeclampsia. There is evidence of activation of the inflammatory response in
pregnancy that is further increased in preeclampsia. Researchers have thus been
led to consider inflammatory markers both as important in the epidemiology of
preeclampsia, and as a potential link between preeclampsia and future
cardiovascular disease. (Source: excerpt from REPORT of the WORKING GROUP on RESEARCH on HYPERTENSION DURING PREGNANCY: NHLBI)
REPORT of the WORKING GROUP on RESEARCH on HYPERTENSION DURING PREGNANCY: NHLBI (Excerpt)
Many of the features of preeclampsia mimic the insulin resistance
or metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance is a prominent feature of
preeclampsia. These findings provide evidence of a link between preeclampsia and
future cardiovascular disease, although the direction of causation is unclear at
present.
(Source: excerpt from REPORT of the WORKING GROUP on RESEARCH on HYPERTENSION DURING PREGNANCY: NHLBI)
Medical news summaries relating to Preeclampsia:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Preeclampsia:
Related information on causes of Preeclampsia:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Preeclampsia may be found in:
Causes of Preeclampsia: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the causes of Preeclampsia.
Pulse pressure, widened:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Aortic insufficiency
With acute aortic insufficiency, pulse pressure widens progressively as the valve deteriorates, and a bounding pulse and an atrial or a ventricular gallop develop. These signs may be accompanied by chest pain; palpitations; pallor; strong, abrupt carotid pulsations; pulsus bisferiens; and signs of heart failure, such as crackles, dyspnea, and jugular vein distention. Auscultation may reveal several murmurs, such as an early diastolic murmur (common) and an apical diastolic rumble (Austin Flint murmur).
Arteriosclerosis
With arteriosclerosis, reduced arterial compliance causes progressive widening of pulse pressure, which becomes permanent without treatment of the underlying disorder. This sign is preceded by moderate hypertension and accompanied by signs of vascular insufficiency, such as claudication, angina, and speech and vision disturbances.
Febrile disorder
A fever can cause widened pulse pressure. Accompanying symptoms vary depending on the specific disorder.
Increased ICP
Widening pulse pressure is an intermediate to late sign of increased ICP. Although a decreased LOC is the earliest and most sensitive indicator of this life-threatening condition, the onset and progression of widening pulse pressure also parallel rising ICP. (A gap of 50 mm Hg can signal a rapid deterioration in the patient’s condition.) Assessment reveals Cushing’s triad: bradycardia, hypertension, and respiratory pattern changes. Other findings include a headache, vomiting, and impaired or unequal motor movement. The patient may also exhibit vision disturbances, such as blurring or photophobia, and pupillary changes.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Pregnancy-induced hypertension:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
The cause of pregnancy-induced hypertension is unknown, but geographic, ethnic, racial, nutritional, immunologic, and familial factors and pre-existing vascular disease may contribute to its development. Age is also a factor. Primiparas who are older than age 35 are at higher risk for preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia develops in about 7% of pregnancies. Incidence is significantly higher in low socioeconomic groups. About 5% of females with preeclampsia develop eclampsia; of these, about 15% die from PIH itself or its complications. Fetal mortality is high due to the increased incidence of premature delivery and uteroplacental insufficiency.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Pulse pressure, widened:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Aortic insufficiency
With acute aortic insufficiency, pulse pressure widens progressively as the valve deteriorates, and a bounding pulse and an atrial gallop or ventricular gallop develop. These signs may be accompanied by chest pain; palpitations; pallor; strong, abrupt carotid pulsations; pulsus bisferiens; and signs of heart failure, such as crackles, dyspnea, and jugular vein distention. Auscultation may reveal several murmurs, such as an early diastolic murmur (common) and an apical diastolic rumble (Austin Flint murmur).
Arteriosclerosis
With this disorder, reduced arterial compliance causes progressive widening of pulse pressure, which becomes permanent without treatment of the underlying disorder. This sign is preceded by moderate hypertension and accompanied by signs of vascular insufficiency, such as claudication, angina, and speech and vision disturbances.
Febrile disorders
Fever can cause widened pulse pressure. Accompanying symptoms vary depending on the specific disorder.
Increased intracranial pressure
Widening pulse pressure is an intermediate to late sign of increased ICP. Although decreased LOC is the earliest and most sensitive indicator of this life-threatening condition, the onset and progression of widening pulse pressure also parallel rising ICP. (Even a gap of only 50 mm Hg can signal a rapid deterioration in the patient’s condition.) Assessment reveals Cushing’s triad: bradycardia, hypertension, and respiratory pattern changes. Other findings include headache, vomiting, and impaired or unequal motor movement. The patient may also exhibit vision disturbances, such as blurring or photophobia, and pupillary changes.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Hypertension, pregnancy-induced:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
The cause of PIH is unknown, but it appears to be related to inadequate prenatal care (especially poor nutrition), parity (more prevalent in primigravidas), multiple pregnancies, preexisting diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.
Age is also a factor. Adolescents and primiparas over age 35 are at higher risk for preeclampsia. Other theories postulate a long list of potential toxic sources, such as autolysis of placental infarcts, autointoxication, uremia, maternal sensitization to total proteins, and pyelonephritis.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Pulse pressure, widened:
Medical causes
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
Aortic insufficiency
With acute aortic insufficiency, pulse pressure widens progressively as the valve deteriorates, and a bounding pulse and an atrial or a ventricular gallop develop. These signs may be accompanied by chest pain, palpitations, pallor, pulsus bisferiens, and strong, abrupt carotid pulsations. Other signs of heart failure, such as crackles, dyspnea, and jugular vein distention, may also be present. Auscultation may reveal several murmurs, such as an early diastolic murmur (common) and an apical diastolic rumble (Austin Flint murmur).
Arteriosclerosis
With arteriosclerosis, reduced arterial compliance causes progressive widening pulse pressure, which becomes permanent without treatment of the underlying disorder. This sign is preceded by moderate hypertension and is accompanied by signs of vascular insufficiency, such as claudication, angina, and speech and vision disturbances.
Febrile disorders
Fever can cause widened pulse pressure. Accompanying symptoms vary depending on the specific disorder.
Increased ICP
Widening pulse pressure is an intermediate to late sign of increased ICP. Although a decreased LOC is the earliest and most sensitive indicator of this life-threatening condition, the onset and progression of widening pulse pressure also parallel rising ICP. (Even a gap of only 50 mm Hg can signal a rapid deterioration in the patient’s condition.) Assessment reveals Cushing’s triad: bradycardia, hypertension, and respiratory pattern changes. Other findings include headache, vomiting, and impaired or unequal motor movement. The patient may also exhibit vision disturbances, such as blurring or photophobia, and pupillary changes.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series, 2007
Pulse pressure, widened:
Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Aortic insufficiency
With acute aortic insufficiency, pulse pressure widens progressively as the valve deteriorates, and a bounding pulse and an atrial gallop or ventricular gallop develop. These signs may be accompanied by chest pain; palpitations; pallor; strong, abrupt carotid pulsations; pulsus bisferiens; and signs of heart failure, such as crackles, dyspnea, and jugular vein distention. Auscultation may reveal several murmurs, such as an early diastolic murmur (common) and an apical diastolic rumble (Austin Flint murmur).
Arteriosclerosis
With arteriosclerosis, pulse pressure progressively widens. This sign is preceded by moderate hypertension and is accompanied by signs of vascular insufficiency, such as claudication, angina, and speech and vision disturbances.
Febrile disorders
Fever can cause widened pulse pressure. Accompanying symptoms vary depending on the specific disorder but may include fatigue, chills, malaise, anorexia, tachycardia, tachypnea, and diaphoresis.
Increased intracranial pressure
Widening pulse pressure is an intermediate to late sign of increased ICP. Although decreased LOC is the earliest and most sensitive indicator of this life-threatening condition, the onset and progression of widening pulse pressure also parallel rising ICP. (Even a gap of only 50 mm Hg can signal a rapid deterioration in the patient’s condition.) Assessment reveals Cushing’s triad: bradycardia, hypertension, and respiratory pattern changes. Other findings include headache, vomiting, and impaired or unequal motor movement. The patient may also exhibit vision disturbances, such as blurring or photophobia, and pupillary changes.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Pulse pressure, widened:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Aortic insufficiency.With acute aortic insufficiency, pulse pressure widens progressively as the valve deteriorates, and a bounding pulse and an atrial or a ventricular gallop develop. These signs may be accompanied by chest pain; palpitations; pallor; strong, abrupt carotid pulsations; pulsus bisferiens; and signs of heart failure, such as crackles, dyspnea, and jugular vein distention. Auscultation may reveal several murmurs, such as an early diastolic murmur (common) and an apical diastolic rumble (Austin Flint murmur).
Arteriosclerosis.With arteriosclerosis, reduced arterial compliance causes progressive widening of pulse pressure, which becomes permanent without treatment of the underlying disorder. This sign is preceded by moderate hypertension and accompanied by signs of vascular insufficiency, such as claudication and angina.
Febrile disorder.Fever can cause widened pulse pressure. Accompanying symptoms vary depending on the specific disorder causing the fever.
Increased ICP.Widening pulse pressure is an intermediate to late sign of increased ICP. Although decreased LOC is the earliest and most sensitive indicator of this life-threatening condition, the onset and progression of widening pulse pressure also parallel rising ICP. (A gap of 50 mm Hg can signal a rapid deterioration in the patient's condition.) Assessment reveals Cushing's triad: bradycardia, hypertension, and respiratory pattern changes. Other findings include headache, vomiting, and impaired or unequal motor movement. The patient may also exhibit vision disturbances, such as blurring or photophobia, and pupillary changes.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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