Pregnancy Complications

During pregnancy, the placenta develops and adapts to the needs of the child. The placenta fulfils numerous tasks, but mainly serves the child’s oxygen and nutrients supply. Due to various causes, a malfunction is possible, whereby the child is under-supplied and can no longer grow properly. Early diagnosis with therapeutic measures is therefore important.

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that is characterized by an elevated blood pressure and proteinuria and that usually happens after 20 weeks of gestation. Women with pre-eclampsia can also develop hemolysis, thrombocytopenia and elevated liver enzymes known as HELLP syndrome or microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Due to wide-spread endothelial dysfunction, they might also develop brain edema and eclampsia. Laboratory investigations show thrombocytopenia, proteinuria > 30 mg/day, hemolysis and elevated liver enzymes. The only known curative treatment for pre-eclampsia is delivery of the fetus.

GTD are diseases that arise from aberrant fertilization tissue within the maternal host and are identified early due to markedly elevated hCG levels and characteristic ultrasound findings. Uterine evacuation is the recommended treatment, while chemotherapy can be reserved for patients with recurrent disease or neoplastic GTD.