Preeclampsia is a medical condition predominantly categorized by high levels of blood pressure during pregnancy and increased levels of proteins in urine. Other symptoms include swelling of the hands, face, and feet as well as headaches and disturbed eyesight.
The disease can be diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy and affects around 8% of all pregnant individuals. People suffering from this condition have a higher chance of suffering from stroke and organ damage. In some instances, preeclampsia may also result in premature childbirth.
In extreme circumstances, high blood pressure can also cause placental abruption which means that the placenta that provides the fetus with all the necessary nutrients separates from the uterus resulting in serious complications.
According to Dr. Erin Cleary, a fellow in maternal-fetal medicine at The Ohio State University, “Eclampsia is the most dangerous manifestation of the disease and starts with the onset of seizures. Other complications may also include stillbirth.”
Typically, treatment for preeclampsia starts right after childbirth and the symptoms associated with it dissipate mere days after delivery.
Current treatment options include fast-acting and even intravenous medication that lower blood pressure. However, a recent study conducted by The Ohio State University suggests that extended use of nifedipine daily, during and after pregnancy can help with preeclampsia. A cause for concern with the current treatment plan is that it may cause the fetal heart rate to accelerate to the point that a cesarean section may become necessary.
The study started in 2022 and spanned 2 years during which over 100 pregnant women who were diagnosed with severe preeclampsia underwent induced labor. Half of the women in the trial were given a fixed dose of nifedipine randomly on a regular basis and the other half were given a placebo, participants in the study were on average 22 weeks pregnant and the study followed them through hospital discharge and 6 weeks postpartum after which the effects of the medication were observed after the baby’s birth and it was noted if the babies needed to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The study revealed that out of all the participants, babies whose mothers were treated with nifedipine were less likely to spend time in the NICU by around 29% compared to approximately 47% of the placebo participants whose babies did spend time in the NICU. Additionally, 34% of the women who received medication did not need immediate control for their blood pressure compared to 55.1% of the people in the placebo group that did. It was also noted that there was a significant difference in the number of women needing a C-section in the control and experimental group. 13.9% more women who were administered the placebo needed a C-section.
However, since this study was only conducted with a small group of people, larger study groups will be needed to see if these findings hold true. Apart from the different medications available, patients can also try to make lifestyle changes such as diet and physical activity to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy.
