Prepared by:
Chukwuma I. Onyeije, M.D.
Atlanta Perinatal Associates
Copies of this presentation
are also available at

http://onyeije.net/present
http://preventpreeclampsia.org
http://preeclampsiaonline.net
Preeclampsia is an abnormal state of pregnancy
FEATURING:
HYPERTENSION
EDEMA
PROTEINURIA
The Cause of Preeclampsia 
is Unknown
Preeclampsia is a leading
cause of illness and death 
in mothers and babies
Preeclampsia can be 
treated by delivery
But delivery of a preterm baby can
can result in problems
for the newborn...
So, if we could prevent preeclampsia
we could significantly improve the health of mothers and infants.
There have been many studies
to find a way to 
prevent preeclampsia
Unfortunately, there is 
currently no treatment 
that can reliably prevent
preeclampsia.
yet.
So, what does the research show?
ASPIRIN
BLOOD THINNERS
CALCIUM
ANTI-OXIDANTS
POTENTIAL 
PREVENTION 
Women with Preeclampsia produce high levels of THROMBOXANE from cells in the blood called platelets

Low dose aspirin reduces the amount of THROMBOXANE produced by platelets

In some studies of women at HIGH RISK, Aspirin REDUCED the chance of developing preeclampsia.  (ref 1) .

Not all studies agree (ref 2)

The Placena of a woman with preeclampsia shows signs of poor blood flow including blood clot formation.

For this reason some experts feel that anticoagulation (blood thinners) will prevent or reduce the severity of preeclampsia
Unfortunately there have been no large studies to determine if anticoagulants like Heparin or Lovenox are effective in PREVENTING preeclampsia.

More research is needed.
Small studies have shown a reduction in risk of preeclampsia in women who are calcium deficient at the onset of pregnancy.  Ref 3.

Larger studies like the CPEP study did NOT show a benefit in low risk women