Pre-eclampsia illustrated: signs & symptoms
While working on my “Causes of Headache” illustration, I went off on a tangent to explore pre-eclampsia / eclampsia a bit further, and this is the result.
Pre-eclampsia / eclampsia signs & symptoms. Caretoon by Dr Ciléin Kearns (Artibiotics)
Pre-eclampsia is a condition characterised by high blood pressure and protein leaking into the urine during pregnancy, which can become life-threatening for both mum and baby. Although the exact mechanism isn't fully understood, there is a problem with the development of the blood supply to the placenta. This restricts blood flow thus nourishment to the developing fetus, which stunts growth.
In an attempt to overcome this the blood pressure rises dangerously, which can damage lots of other tissues in the body. The lack of oxygen also stresses the placental tissues, which release inflammatory factors that cause all sorts of problems themselves.
The kidneys are particularly sensitive to injury from high blood pressure. This damage results in them leaking out protein in the urine, which normally helps control how much water stays in the blood. As a result water moves from the blood into the surrounding tissues, leading to swelling of the limbs, and sometimes can fill the lungs causing breathlessness. This means less water is peed out too.
Altered blood flow through the liver can damage it causing upper right tummy pain, and problems with clotting. If the high blood pressure is left uncontrolled, it can lead to brain swelling, seizures (eclampsia), and death.
You can understand why medics take blood pressure so seriously in pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia can be treated by controlling blood pressure and often an early delivery of the baby is planned.
My Patrons can look forward to some behind the scenes material on how I designed this next week.