Pre-eclampsia is defined as:
And either
Or
Onset is usually after 20 weeks of gestation, but it can also occur up to a few weeks postpartum.
Eclampsia:
Learning bite
If new onset hypertension is associated with other features of pre-eclampsia, proteinuria does not necessarily need to be present.
Classification of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Gestational hypertension:
This is new onset hypertension in pregnancy but where there is an absence of significant proteinuria and any other features of pre-eclampsia. Patients with gestational hypertension are at risk of going on to develop pre-eclampsia.
Chronic hypertension:
This may be previously diagnosed or recognised at the patients booking appointment. These patients are also at risk of going on to develop pre-eclampsia.
Learning bite
Both chronic hypertension and gestational hypertension increase the risk of pre-eclampsia.