The singer Lexa announced on Monday (10), on social networks, the death of the newborn daughter, Sofia, who occurred three days after delivery. The artist reported that she had preeclampsia with Hellp syndrome, which caused the baby’s premature birth. 
The report of Brazil agency He talked to the gynecologist and obstetrician Joeline Cerqueira, with an area of expertise in human reproduction, to better explain the meaning of these terms.
Preeclampsia is an obstetric disease that usually happens after the 20th week of pregnancy and causes pregnant arterial hypertension.
“The placenta is the organ that will nourish the fetus. When it is implanted in the womb, the vessels of the uterus open and increase the bloodstream that will properly nourish the fetus. And what happens in the woman’s placenta with preeclampsia? These vessels cannot change their conformation to become more flexible and elastic. And the blood does not flow properly for the placenta and the fetus, ”explains Joeline Cerqueira.
Circulation overload causes hypertension, equal to or above 140/90 mmHg (14 by 9), and there is loss of protein in the urine, proteinuria. Preeclampsia needs to be treated so as not to put the life of the mother and fetus at risk. Among the possible aggravations are Eclampsia and Hellp Syndrome.
Eclampsia is marked by the occurrence of widespread seizures or coma in pregnant women. Hellp syndrome is another type of complication that causes hemolysis (red blood cell fragmentation), high levels of liver enzymes and decreased number of platelets. This combination shows that some organs may be bankrupt, such as the kidneys and the liver.
Although not common, there is also preeclampsia or postpartum eclampsia, which occurs in the postpartum period within 72 hours after delivery. The complication is responsible for arterial hypertension and seizures during this period.
Causes and Risk Factors
The obstetrician explains that until today preeclampsia has no identified specific cause. There are theories, among which it highlights the poor implantation of the placenta in the process of pregnancy.
But the main risk factors are already known: women’s first pregnancy; Pregnancy before 18 and after 40 years; chronic high blood pressure; diabetes; lupus; obesity; family people with these diseases; Pregnancy of twins.
Prevention and Risk Reduction
Prenatal care, with medical monitoring of pregnancy and blood pressure, is the best way to prevent preeclampsia and other complications.
“There are already tested medications that considerably decrease preeclampsia probabilities for risk patients. One of them is calcium. Another is children’s AAS. They use this 100 mg low dose aspirin from 12 to 16 weeks of gestation, ”says Joeline Cerqueira. “It is essential for the doctor to start during this period. Because as it is a disease that sets in the placenta, after 16 weeks the placenta is already all formed. So it’s no use starting a prophylax so late. ”
Symptoms
Preeclampsia may be asymptomatic. But there are common signs, such as: strong headache that does not pass with medicines; swelling on the face and hands; Weight gain in a week; difficulty breathing; nausea or vomiting after the first three months of gestation; Loss or vision changes; and pain in the abdomen on the right side.
Symptoms of eclampsia may be headaches, stomach and visual disturbance before seizure; vaginal bleeding; and eat.
Treatment
The main objective of treatment for those who develop the preeclampsia staff is blood pressure control. Hypotensors, oral and injectable medications can be used to be able to maintain blood pressure below 14 by 9.
They can also be indicated: low salt and sugar consumption; rest; Increased water intake; make more rigorous prenatal care.
