Postpartum Preeclampsia Occurring After Resolution of Antepartum Preeclampsia
Received 26 January 2006; received in revised form 4 October 2007; accepted 7 November 2007. published online 12 June 2008.
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a syndrome characterized by hypertension, proteinuria and edema in a pregnant female after 20 weeks of gestation, including occuring in the postpartum period. Delivery of the infant is usually considered the definitive treatment for preeclampsia. Preeclampsia in a prior pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of recurrence in a subsequent pregnancy. However, it is unusual for preeclampsia to resolve with delivery of the infant and then recur in the same pregnancy in the postpartum period. We present here a case report of a woman who had antepartum preeclampsia treated with delivery. She then had a recurrence of the classic signs of preeclampsia in the postpartum period. Ultimately she was admitted and treated with magnesium with a final diagnosis of recurrent preeclampsia.
University of Pittsburgh Affiliated Residence in Emergency Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Reprint Address: Sarah S. Andrus, md, Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Mailcode CDW-EM, Portland, OR 97239