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Abstract

Pre-eclampsia is a multi-system disorder that consists of hypertension in association with proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation, in a previously normotensive woman. It confers an increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. Complications include placental abruption, intra-abdominal haemorrhage, cardiac failure, cerebrovascular accidents, eclampsia and multi-organ failure. The fetus is at risk of intra-uterine growth restriction and pre-term birth. The aim of this article is to address aspects of the disease relevant to primary care, including pre-pregnancy counselling, the identification of affected women with subsequent assessment of severity, criteria for referral and post-natal management in the community.

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