Preeclampsia

Aspirin helps prevent preterm pre-eclampsia but is not a treatment once pre-eclampsia is established. Pre-eclampsia is associated with endothelial dysfunction, maternal vascular injury, hypertension, inflammation, oxidative stress, and an anti-angiogenic state driven mainly by excess sFlt-1. Endotoxemia is a major driving factor in preeclampsia and eclampsia. Chronic magnesium depletion compounded by endotoxemia-driven inflammation is part of the underlying chronic cause of eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia affects 5–7% of pregnancies and contributes substantially to severe maternal outcomes and maternal deaths. Preeclampsia and eclampsia can cause life-threatening seizures in both mother and fetus and are currently managed acutely with intravenous magnesium.