What does preeclampsia mean?
Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy involving high blood pressure and impaired functioning of one or more organs, including the kidneys, liver, lungs, blood, brain, or placenta. It usually begins after the twentieth week of pregnancy, although it can also arise shortly after delivery. Some patients have noticeable symptoms such as headache, visual disturbances, abdominal pain, or swelling, while others appear well until routine testing reveals the disorder. Preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia, in which seizures occur, and it may lead to preterm birth, placental problems, or fetal growth restriction. Prompt diagnosis, blood-pressure monitoring, medication, and sometimes delivery are central to its management. The term is important because it identifies a potentially life-threatening condition that can affect both the pregnant person and the developing baby.
nounA pregnancy-related disorder characterized by high blood pressure and signs of organ dysfunction, usually developing after 20 weeks of pregnancy or shortly after delivery. It can affect the kidneys, liver, blood, lungs, brain, or placenta and may progress to eclampsia.
- A multisystem pregnancy-related disorder involving new-onset hypertension and organ dysfunction, typically occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy or in the postpartum period.
"Her blood pressure remained dangerously high after 28 weeks, and she was diagnosed with preeclampsia."
"The doctor recommended close monitoring after the patient developed preeclampsia at 34 weeks."
"Severe preeclampsia required urgent delivery to protect both mother and baby."
The plural is used when referring to separate cases of the disorder or to multiple affected pregnancies.
"The study compared outcomes for patients with severe preeclampsias and those with gestational hypertension."
Preeclampsia is one of the major causes of preterm birth and maternal illness, yet its warning signs can develop without obvious symptoms.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does preeclampsia come from?
The word combines the prefix pre-, meaning before, with eclampsia, a term from Greek eklampsis, associated with a sudden seizure. The prefix distinguishes the condition from eclampsia itself: preeclampsia refers to the preceding phase or syndrome of high blood pressure and organ dysfunction that may precede seizures. The related English terms eclamptic and eclampsism were formed from the same Greek-derived base.
Related word forms
How preeclampsia is actually used
This is a medical term used in clinical and health contexts. The spelling is generally written without a hyphen in contemporary medical usage, although pre-eclampsia remains common. Symptoms may include severe headache, visual changes, upper abdominal pain, or sudden swelling, and the condition requires medical evaluation.
Easily confused with preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is the broader disorder involving high blood pressure and organ dysfunction, whereas eclampsia is the more severe complication marked by seizures.