PRE-ECLAMPSIA

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does pre-eclampsia mean? 

• PRE-ECLAMPSIA (noun)
  The noun PRE-ECLAMPSIA has 1 sense:

1. abnormal state of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and fluid retention and albuminuria; can lead to eclampsia if untreated

  Familiarity information: PRE-ECLAMPSIA used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRE-ECLAMPSIA (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Abnormal state of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and fluid retention and albuminuria; can lead to eclampsia if untreated

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

pre-eclampsia; preeclampsia

Hypernyms ("pre-eclampsia" is a kind of...):

toxaemia; toxaemia of pregnancy; toxemia; toxemia of pregnancy (an abnormal condition of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and edema and protein in the urine)

 Context examples 

The researchers also found that the form of spermine which was higher in mothers pregnant with a girl was also predictive of the risk of pregnancy complications: high levels were associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia (where the mother develops high blood pressure and kidney disease), whereas low levels were associated with an increased risk of poor fetal growth.

(Baby’s sex affects mother’s metabolism and may influence risk of pregnancy-related complications, University of Cambridge)

The findings help to explain, for example, why male babies in the womb may be more vulnerable to the effects of poor growth, and why being pregnant with a girl may lead to an increased risk of severe pre-eclampsia for the mother.

(Baby’s sex affects mother’s metabolism and may influence risk of pregnancy-related complications, University of Cambridge)