News Release

Preeclampsia solutions sought

James M. Roberts, M.D., director of Magee-Womens Research Institute, participates in First International Preeclampsia Summit sponsored by the Preeclampsia Foundation

Peer-Reviewed Publication

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

SEATTLE, April 4 – Developing preeclampsia during pregnancy can result in potentially devastating consequences for both mother and baby. It is one of the leading pregnancy-related causes of death and disability for women and their newborns.

"Preeclampsia often strikes suddenly," said James M. Roberts, M.D., professor and vice chairman of research in the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and director of the Magee-Womens Research Institute. "And the sad truth is that there currently is no really effective treatment."

Dr. Roberts is giving a talk on prenatal care as part of the first International Preeclampsia Summit, "Partnering to Generate Global Awareness for Preeclampsia," April 4-6 in Seattle. The summit is being sponsored by the Preeclampsia Foundation and is funded through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Every six minutes, a woman dies of preeclampsia – nine women an hour, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation. The disorder is linked to hypertension and affects more than 6 million women a year worldwide. Symptoms include high blood pressure, protein in the urine and sometimes swelling in the hands and face. The disorder affects some 5 percent of pregnancies.

The International Preeclampsia Summit is bringing leading experts in the field of preeclampsia together with numerous representatives from global health organizations. The meeting's focus is on identifying and prioritizing appropriate ways to intervene and reduce maternal illness and death due to preeclampsia.

"The Magee-Womens Research Institute and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are solid partners in addressing preeclampsia, one of the top five causes of maternal mortality," said Anne Garrett, executive director of the Preeclampsia Foundation. "It is critical for organizations to align in addressing this condition as more than 200 women a day die from eclampsia around the world."

Research presented in June at the 13th World Congress of the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy by scientists from the Magee-Womens Research Institute and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine suggests that preeclampsia also may be linked to increased risk of preterm delivery and later-life hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

"Research is closing in on this menace," said Dr. Roberts, who also is president of the society. "But there is still much to do."

Women who have previously experienced preeclampsia, also known as toxemia, have an even greater chance of developing the disorder in subsequent pregnancies. Other risk factors include maternal age of less than 25 or more than 35 years and preexisting hypertension, diabetes or kidney disease.

###

The Magee-Womens Research Institute, the country's first research institute devoted to women and infants, was formed in 1992 by Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine's department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences is the top funded such department by the National Institutes of Health nationwide. More information is available online at http://www.mwri.magee.edu/html.

The Preeclampsia Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization established in 2000. Its purpose is to reduce maternal and infant illness and death due to preeclampsia by supporting innovative research, raising public awareness and helping women access safe reproductive technology, support and care. More information is available online at http://www.preeclampsia.org.

CONTACT:
Michele D. Baum
Lisa Rossi
PHONE: 412-647-3555
FAX: 412-624-3184
E-MAIL:
BaumMD@upmc.edu
RossiL@upmc.edu


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.