What maternal condition is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation?

What maternal condition is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation?

• A. Eclampsia
• B. Preeclampsia
• C. Gestational diabetes
• D. Placenta previa

Answer: (B)

Preeclampsia is a condition that specifically occurs during pregnancy, typically after the 20th week of gestation, and is characterized by the onset of hypertension (high blood pressure) and the presence of protein in the urine (proteinuria). This condition is considered to arise from complications of pregnancy and is associated with potentially serious complications for both the mother and the fetus if not monitored and managed appropriately. The significance of the gestational time frame is crucial here; developments in hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks indicate that the pregnancy is contributing to the pathophysiological changes, which differentiates preeclampsia from other hypertensive disorders that may exist prior to or independent of pregnancy. In contrast, other conditions like eclampsia, while related, is a severe progression of preeclampsia that includes seizures. Gestational diabetes pertains to abnormal blood glucose levels arising during pregnancy, unrelated to blood pressure or protein levels in urine. Lastly, placenta previa refers to a condition where the placenta is abnormally positioned in the lower part of the uterus, which can lead to bleeding but does not typically involve hypertension or proteinuria. Overall, the combination of both hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks is distinctly indicative of pre

Preeclampsia is a condition that specifically occurs during pregnancy, typically after the 20th week of gestation, and is characterized by the onset of hypertension (high blood pressure) and the presence of protein in the urine (proteinuria). This condition is considered to arise from complications of pregnancy and is associated with potentially serious complications for both the mother and the fetus if not monitored and managed appropriately.

The significance of the gestational time frame is crucial here; developments in hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks indicate that the pregnancy is contributing to the pathophysiological changes, which differentiates preeclampsia from other hypertensive disorders that may exist prior to or independent of pregnancy.

In contrast, other conditions like eclampsia, while related, is a severe progression of preeclampsia that includes seizures. Gestational diabetes pertains to abnormal blood glucose levels arising during pregnancy, unrelated to blood pressure or protein levels in urine. Lastly, placenta previa refers to a condition where the placenta is abnormally positioned in the lower part of the uterus, which can lead to bleeding but does not typically involve hypertension or proteinuria.

Overall, the combination of both hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks is distinctly indicative of pre