Hypertension, Preeclampsia, and Eclampsia

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are responsible for a large burden of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The wide-ranging manifestations of these diseases include several phenomena that can quickly become an emergency. The most significant of these disorders, preeclampsia with severe features, can adversely impact every organ in the body; even when these diseases present with subtle findings, there is potential for significant and long-lasting impact on the health of the mother and baby. This chapter will summarize the risks, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of this significant family of obstetric conditions.