GENETIC CONFLICTS AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN PREGNANCY: A RISK FACTOR FOR PRE-ECLAMPSIA?
Neena Garg*, Sunil Kumar Polipalli and Seema Kapoor
ABSTRACT
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy specific hypertensive and proteinuric disorder that complicates 3-5% of pregnancies worldwide. It is one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, preterm birth, perinatal death and intrauterine growth restriction worldwide, but remains unclear about the underlying disease mechanisms. Pre-eclampsia occurs typically in the third trimester of pregnancy by symptoms like elevated blood pressure, proteinuria and edema. Therefore, early identification of pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia is a big priority in obstetrics in order to decrease the mortality and morbidity associated with this disease. In this review, we
summarize the current understanding of the role of genetic factors in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia and explain the molecular approach to search for genetic clues in pre-eclampsia, as it is a rare pregnancy-related disease with an unpredictable course that can have serious consequences for both the mother and the fetus. The treatment is simple, ie, delivery. Nonetheless, induced preterm delivery requires careful weighing of both maternal and fetal risk and benefit. Current research focuses on the prediction of onset of pre-eclampsia or even severe pre-eclampsia so as to allow early management and improve the outcome associated with this disease.
Keywords: Pre-eclampsia; Hypertension; Pregnancy; Immunogenetics.
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