Also known as: eclampsia · pre-eclampsia · pregnancy hypertension · toxaemia · PET
Pre-eclampsia = new hypertension with proteinuria or organ dysfunction after 20 weeks; eclampsia adds seizures. Magnesium sulfate prevents/treats the seizures and delivery is the definitive cure.
Pregnancy beyond 20 weeks; higher risk in a first pregnancy, prior pre-eclampsia, chronic hypertension/renal disease, diabetes, multiple pregnancy, obesity, and at the extremes of maternal age.
Prevent/treat eclamptic seizures
Caution: Monitor for toxicity: loss of reflexes, RR <12, low urine output — calcium gluconate is the antidote.
Severe hypertension ≥160/110
Caution: Avoid ACE inhibitors/ARBs in pregnancy.
Magnesium toxicity antidote
Guidelines change. If something here is out of date, tell us — we keep these current.
🚩 Report outdated / suggest update