Clinical and Ultrasound Work-up and Follow-up of Preeclampsia (Continuing Medical Education) (Clinical Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia complicates about 3-7% of pregnancies in the Western world and remains a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality (1,2). The clinical spectrum of the disease is very broad and ranges from late onset (34 weeks of gestation) mild proteinuria and hypertension to severe early onset (34 weeks) multisystem failure in both mother and fetus (3). As further management of the patient strongly depends on disease severity, a comprehensive initial work-up of all potentially involved organ systems is imperative. Over the course of the disease, further close clinical and ultrasound based follow-up remain mandatory to assess disease progression and to diagnose complications in a timely manner in both the mother and the fetus. Care and follow-up of these patients, however, should not stop when preeclampsia has resolved. Firstly because former preeclamptic patients remain at increased risk of cardiovascular disease in later life (4). Secondly because a considerable proportion of these women will have subsequent pregnancies that are at risk of disease recurrence (5). Therefore, as for gestational diabetes and several other maternal conditions emerging during pregnancy (4), preeclampsia can be considered as an early warning sign and a unique opportunity for timely prevention of later disease (6).