Precelampsia, eclampsia: terminology and classification

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pathological condition that complicates pregnancy and subsides with its end. During this complication, a multiple organ failure is formed in pregnant women with impaired functions of kidneys, liver, vascular system, brain (encephalopathy), and deficiency of fetoplacental complex. Eclampsia is a combination of PE with one or more seizures, not associated with neurologic diseases. Eclampsia can be associated with stroke, DIC- and HELLP-syndromes, and ARDS in adults. Eclampsia is said to be the main killer of pregnant women. It causes 16 % of maternal deaths. PE is considered a classic complication during pregnancy. Every year, PE affects 1.5-8.0 million women in developing countries and up to 370 000 pregnant women in developed countries. PE is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Recently, it has been considered as a risk factor for subsequent diseases. In Russia, the term “gestosis” refers to hypertension in pregnant women since 1985...