Testing to detectect Preeclampsia sooner

     For my last post I will be discussing studies that have been done by doctors and the Preeclampsia Foundation to help detect cognitive difficulties post-partum, genetics, and test screenings for early detection of the disease. After I got past my Preeclampsia I continued to have problems with my blood pressure, weight, and cognitive memory. The Preeclampsia Foundation along with many doctors from the Netherlands to the university of Washington conducted a study with 1,000 participants assessing cognitive function based on an online survey. Many formerly preeclamptic women report difficulties with memory or word choice and they wanted to figure out if there are changes in the brain from the disease or the trauma of the disease itself. The study found that women with a history of preeclampsia scored significantly lower in all three assessments.

 "More and more information is emerging suggesting that preeclampsia is a condition with long term implications," explained the lead author on the study, Dr. Ineke Postma. "Preeclampsia can be a very emotional and sometimes traumatizing experience with some women complaining about ongoing memory or attention-deficit problems. In order to provide adequate long term support to preeclampsia survivors, we need to identify the actual scope of the problem. This study is an important step in that direction."

In another study, 147 sisters, 248 daughters, 74 granddaughters, and 131 daughter-in-laws who have had preeclampsia or eclampsia have found that this disease is highly inheritable. They did a single gene condition and multifactorial condition and found that the single gene condition with frequency of putative gene by .25.

Dr.Vesna Garovic (Mayo Clinic) studied the use of urinary podocytes as a test for preeclampsia, Podocytes are cells which line the blood vessels in the kidneys and act as filters which keep protein in the bloodstream. Their loss allows protein to spill into the urine, one of the primary signs of preeclampsia.They used 267 women and collected urine between 25-28 weeks gestation and 15 women went on to develop preeclampsia and all had podocytes in their system.



Works cited:
 http://www.preeclampsia.org/component/lyftenbloggie/2011/12/04/116-podocytes-and-the-big-story

http://www.preeclampsia.org/component/lyftenbloggie/2012/04/04/126-could-preeclampsia-affect-your-brain

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1986.tb08006.x/abstract

Pre-Eclampsa-what?! A Medical Breakdown

So since you now my own history and passion for Preeclampsia I may start giving you what I know you're just dying for and that's the medical facts and some medical research. For starters, back in the day Preeclampsia was called Toxemia and is a disease found in pregnant women typically in their 2nd or 3rd trimester of gestation of high blood pressure (140/90) and protein found in the urine. This causes swelling in the feet, legs, and hands and is a severe risk for the mother and baby and a rare risk cause deaths. The reason why it's called PRE-Eclampsia is because this happens before the baby is born and after the baby is born within the first 24 hours the mother will end up getting Eclampsia and have seizures. Sadly, there is no other way to cure Preeclampsia except to deliver the child which is risky if the baby is not fully developed. The real way OB/GYN doctors are preventing any further damage is regular visits to the doctor and knowing the symptoms as well as a healthy diet.

Along with high blood pressure and protein there are many other symptoms of Preeclampsia which includes, loss of blood flow to the uterus, improper functioning placenta, severe headaches, dizziness, rapid weight gain, sudden change in vision (or floaters), abdominal pain, and organ failure.

Since there has yet to be a true reason or cause for catching Preeclampsia doctors can see trends and certain ties to this unsolved puzzle. Poor nutrition, higher body fat percent, history of high blood pressure, and bad blood flow to the uterus are certain causes that contribute to Preeclampsia. Typically these cases are seen in first time mothers, teen mothers, obese women, pregnant women over the age of 40, previous cases in mother or sister, and possibly genetics. Having a history of Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis have also been considered as certain medical conditions that could effect Preeclampsia. A study done by the Department of obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Vermont College of Medicine says that a number of reports indicated that Preeclampsia is associated with elevated blood levels of Lipid Peroxidation products. In view of it's destructive characteristics lipid peroxidation might contribute to pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

So to break it down, this stuff can be no joke to not only the mother's body but the babies as well. It can be prevented long enough to have a full term baby, but usually after 32 weeks gestation the blood pressure gets too risky for the doctor's.  Just remember what I said in my second post that there are     76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths each year around the world. What if you had this disease and didn't even know it? What kind of elements could help subside the effects of pre-eclampsia? I'll show you in my next post!

Work Cited:

 "Lipid Peroxidation in Pregnancy: New Perspectives on Preeclampsua." Lipid Peroxidation in Pregnancy: New Perspectives on Preeclampsia. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2012. <http://ukpmc.ac.uk/abstract/MED/2679100/reload=0;jsessionid=T92JPKDvx0BDc1gbV0Jx.6>.

 "Preeclampsia & Eclampsia: Risk Factors, Signs & Symptoms, and Treatment." WebMD. WebMD, 01 Jan. 0000. Web. 28 Sept. 2012. <http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/preeclampsia-eclampsia>.