medical disorders of pregnancy Flashcards
what is Pre-eclampsia?
when does it occur?
a PLACENTAL DISEASE new onset of hypertension in pregnancy
over 140 mmHg systolic or over 90 mmHg diastolic
+ end-organ dysfunction, notably with proteinuria It occurs after 20 weeks gestation
pathophysiology of Pre-eclampsia?
normally, the spiral arteries dilate 10x more their size and develop into utero-placental arteries, to deliver lots of blood to the uterus
in pre-eclampsia–> these arteries become FIBROUS and NaRROW–> less blood gets to the placenta–>placenta release pro-inflammatory proteins–> gets into the circulation and causes endomethial dysfunction–>which causes vasoconstriction and kidney retain more salt–>HYPERTENSION
risk factors of Pre-eclampsia
(high (5) vs moderate(6)
HIGH
- Hx of hypertensive D. in previous pregnancy.
- CKD
- Autoimmune disease, ex: as SLE or antiphospholipid syndrome.
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
- Chronic hypertension.
MODERATE
- Older than 40
- BMI > 35
- > 10 years since previous pregnancy
- TWIN pregnancy (
- FIRST pregnancy (body has never made a placenta)
- FHx of pre-eclampsia
what is involved in the assessment if a women who is considered to be at high risk of pre-eclampsia?
(involve referral)
- Refer for consultant-led care at booking for specialist input to assess and manage the obstetric risk.
- Ensure that ASPIRIN 75—150 mg daily is prescribed from 12 weeks’ gestation until birth.
- Offer advice about healthy lifestyle (including rest, work, exercise, and weight)
aspirin helps with forming the placenta,Aspirin inhibits thromboxane a hormone which raises blood pressure
symptoms of Pre-E (6)
- Severe headache.
- Vision problems ex: blurring or flashing b4 the eyes.
- Severe pain just below the ribs. (liver swelling)
- Vomiting.
- edema of the face, hands or feet.
- hyper-reflelxia?>> indicates an increased risk of eclamptic seizure)
Signs of Pre-eclampsia
- Sustained sys BP more than 160 and diastolic more than 110
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
- Rales
- Hyper-reflexia
- Papilledema
- Oligouria or anuria
- RUQ tenderness on palpation
Diagnosis of Pre-eclampsia:
how can Proteinuria can be quantified?
BP
- Systolic blood pressure above 140 mmHg
- Diastolic blood pressure above 90 mmHg
PLUS any of:
Proteinuria (1+ or more on urine dipstick)
Organ dysfunction (e.g. raised creatinine, High LFT’s, seizures, thrombocytopenia or haemolytic anaemia)
Placental dysfunction (e.g. fetal growth restriction or abnormal Doppler studies)
Proteinuria can be quantified using:
- Urine protein:creatinine ratio (above 30mg/mmol is significant)
- Urine albumin:creatinine ratio (above 8mg/mmol is significant)
The NICE guidelines (2019) recommend the use of placental growth factor (PlGF) testing on one occasion during pregnancy in women suspected of having pre-eclampsia. Placental growth factor is a protein released by the placenta that functions to stimulate the development of new blood vessels. In pre-eclampsia, the levels of PlGF are low. NICE recommends using PlGF between 20 and 35 weeks gestation to rule-out pre-eclampsia.
Bedside tests performed at every antenatal appt?
· Blood pressure
· Urine dipstick
- ++/+++
- If +1 or more, further testing
further Investigations ?
URINE
- Urine dipstick, and then quantified through a 24-hour urinary collection.
- do MSU: rule out UTI
BLOODS
- FBC: ↓ Hb, ↓ platelets.
- U & E: ↑ urea, ↑ creatinine, ↑ urate, ↓ urine output.
- LFT’s: ↑ ALT, ↑ AST.
USS doppler
CTG
Abdominal USS to assess foetal size
Management of Pre-eclampsia (4)
- Healthy lifestyle--> ( Restriction of dietary salt)
- Review meds–> stop ACE or ARBs–> risk of adverse fetal outcomes
- Alternative anti-hypertensive:
- 1st -line is LABETALOL if not contraindicated.
- 2nd-line nifedipine (modified-release) if asthmatic & diabetics
- 3rd-line methyldopa (avoid post natally)
- Ensure that ASPIRIN 75—150 mg daily is prescribed from 12 weeks’ gestation until birth.
- safety net her about delivery options (early delivery may be required)
* bc decreases hypoawarness if they get hypoglycemia*
* give it modified release bc can lower bp 7AIL*
Target blood pressure following antihypertensive treatment in pregnancy
Target BP following antihypertensive treatment in pregnancy 135/85 mmHg.
Monitoring in pre-eclampsia?
- USS scan every 2-3 weeks
- Bloods every 2-3 days
- Monitor proteinuria
what is HELLP Syndrome
Tx?
endothelial infjury causes the formation of tiny thrombi, its uses up platelets and therefore HEMOLYSIS
- Haemolysis
- Elevated Liver enzymes >> deposition of fibrin in the sinusoids cx obstruction
- Low Platelets
Treatment
- delivery of the baby
complication of Pre-eclampsia
child vs mum
Mummy (related to end organ damage)
- CNS: Intracranial haemorrhage, cerebral edema, Haemorrhage beneath capsule (RUQ pain)
- Renal: AKI
- Liver: HELLP,
- Coagulation: DIC
FETUS
- Prematurity (iatrogenic and idiopathic)
- IUGR
- IU fetal DEATH
- placental abruption
what is Eclampsia?
Tx if occured during labor? what complication can that treatment cause? how to treat?
SEIZURES + pre-eclampsia.
A-E–> put her in the left lateral position (shift pressure of uterus of the IVC) + high flow oxygen
Treatment
IV magnesium sulphate is used to manage seizures
►should continue for 24 hours after last seizure or delivery
RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION can occur!!!!!!
Tx: calcium gluconate is the first-line treatment for Mg sulphate induced respiratory depression
what is Obstetric Cholestasis?
when does it occur?
intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
reduced outflow of bile acids from the liver.
occurs LATER in pregnancy (Starts from 28 weeks gestation onwards)
The condition resolves after delivery of the baby.
Clinical Features of Obstetric Cholestasis (5)
Itching (pruritis)>>worse at night is the main symptom, particularly affecting the palms of the hands & soles of the feet.
Other symptoms are related to cholestasis and outflow obstruction in the bile ducts:
- Fatigue
- Dark urine
- Pale, greasy stools
- Jaundice
there is NO rash associated w/ obstetric cholestasis.
If a rash is present…what alternative diagnosis would u consider?
polymorphic eruption of pregnancy
or
pemphigoid gestationis.