<p>On World Preeclampsia Day on May 22, obstetricians and gynaecologists call for more awareness about the hypertensive disorder, which is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. </p><p>Preeclampsia, or persistent high blood pressure, is a potentially dangerous complication that can occur during the pregnancy or postpartum period, which usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women.</p><p>If not controlled in time, preeclampsia could lead to eclampsia, where women experience convulsions, which could also lead to intracerebral haemorrhage (bleeding in the brain tissue), said Dr Savitha C, medical superintendent, Vani Vilas hospital.</p><p>"Preeclampsia also impacts foetal health. It can cause growth restriction of the foetus and premature delivery. It can also lead to premature separation of the placenta, which will lead to intrauterine death," she said.</p>.Landmark global pandemic agreement adopted by World Health Organization members.<p>Past history of preeclampsia or mothers and sisters of pregnant women having had hypertensive disorders in pregnancy can heighten their risk.</p><p>Dr Sheela Mane, professor, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, K C General Hospital said that it is possible to predict a hypertensive pregnancy as early as 12 weeks, with regular checkups.</p><p>"To reduce the impact of the disease on pregnancy, the Government of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/top-karnataka-news">Karnataka</a> has introduced simple steps such a Gestosis score, where a score equal to or more than 3 mandates initiation of aspirin as treatment. The government also is encouraging blood investigations and ultrasonography when necessary," she said.</p><p>Dr N Sundari, retired professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at a private medical college in Bengaluru explained that preeclampsia is more dangerous than gestational hypertension.</p><p>"Preeclampsia presents with organ damage, which has to be detected early and treated accordingly. If aspirin is started after the 16-week mark for pregnant women with preeclampsia, it might not be as effective as starting before 16 weeks. If we control with early detection and close monitoring of high-risk pregnancy cases, by starting anti-hypertensive medication for them, we can prevent complications," she said.</p><p>Preeclampsia is of particular concern in Karnataka which — according to official state health department data — has a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 57 in 2024-25, the highest among South Indian states. MMR is the number of maternal deaths per one lakh live births in a population in a year. The state recorded 530 maternal deaths in 2024-25, out of 9,31,850 live births.</p><p>In an interim death audit report released in April this year, where the department audited maternal deaths between April 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, nearly 33 per cent — 153 of the 464 deaths audited — were due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.</p>
<p>On World Preeclampsia Day on May 22, obstetricians and gynaecologists call for more awareness about the hypertensive disorder, which is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. </p><p>Preeclampsia, or persistent high blood pressure, is a potentially dangerous complication that can occur during the pregnancy or postpartum period, which usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women.</p><p>If not controlled in time, preeclampsia could lead to eclampsia, where women experience convulsions, which could also lead to intracerebral haemorrhage (bleeding in the brain tissue), said Dr Savitha C, medical superintendent, Vani Vilas hospital.</p><p>"Preeclampsia also impacts foetal health. It can cause growth restriction of the foetus and premature delivery. It can also lead to premature separation of the placenta, which will lead to intrauterine death," she said.</p>.Landmark global pandemic agreement adopted by World Health Organization members.<p>Past history of preeclampsia or mothers and sisters of pregnant women having had hypertensive disorders in pregnancy can heighten their risk.</p><p>Dr Sheela Mane, professor, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, K C General Hospital said that it is possible to predict a hypertensive pregnancy as early as 12 weeks, with regular checkups.</p><p>"To reduce the impact of the disease on pregnancy, the Government of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/top-karnataka-news">Karnataka</a> has introduced simple steps such a Gestosis score, where a score equal to or more than 3 mandates initiation of aspirin as treatment. The government also is encouraging blood investigations and ultrasonography when necessary," she said.</p><p>Dr N Sundari, retired professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at a private medical college in Bengaluru explained that preeclampsia is more dangerous than gestational hypertension.</p><p>"Preeclampsia presents with organ damage, which has to be detected early and treated accordingly. If aspirin is started after the 16-week mark for pregnant women with preeclampsia, it might not be as effective as starting before 16 weeks. If we control with early detection and close monitoring of high-risk pregnancy cases, by starting anti-hypertensive medication for them, we can prevent complications," she said.</p><p>Preeclampsia is of particular concern in Karnataka which — according to official state health department data — has a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 57 in 2024-25, the highest among South Indian states. MMR is the number of maternal deaths per one lakh live births in a population in a year. The state recorded 530 maternal deaths in 2024-25, out of 9,31,850 live births.</p><p>In an interim death audit report released in April this year, where the department audited maternal deaths between April 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, nearly 33 per cent — 153 of the 464 deaths audited — were due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.</p>