Which obstetric condition is defined as hypertension (>140/90) with proteinuria and edema during pregnancy?

Which obstetric condition is defined as hypertension (>140/90) with proteinuria and edema during pregnancy?

• A. Preeclampsia
• B. Chronic hypertension
• C. Gestational hypertension
• D. Eclampsia

Answer: (A)

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder characterized by new-onset high blood pressure after about 20 weeks of gestation accompanied by proteinuria, with edema commonly present. This combination—hypertension plus proteinuria after mid-pregnancy—fits the classic description of preeclampsia. It’s distinct from chronic hypertension, which exists before pregnancy or before 20 weeks; gestational hypertension, which is hypertension after 20 weeks without proteinuria; and eclampsia, which is preeclampsia with seizures. Edema can occur in preeclampsia, but the key diagnostic signal is new hypertension with proteinuria after mid-pregnancy.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder characterized by new-onset high blood pressure after about 20 weeks of gestation accompanied by proteinuria, with edema commonly present. This combination—hypertension plus proteinuria after mid-pregnancy—fits the classic description of preeclampsia. It’s distinct from chronic hypertension, which exists before pregnancy or before 20 weeks; gestational hypertension, which is hypertension after 20 weeks without proteinuria; and eclampsia, which is preeclampsia with seizures. Edema can occur in preeclampsia, but the key diagnostic signal is new hypertension with proteinuria after mid-pregnancy.