Double whammy

The association of this international organisation,with its worldwide expertise,will be very useful to develop standardised care for eclampsia in our country. It has 4500 members worldwide and was founded in 1969 in Basel,Switzerland,by Dr Ernst Theodor Rippmann,who also chaired OGASH until 2009. Gupte was unanimously voted to succeed Dr Rippmann. Gupte,who was present at the 43rd Organisation Gestosis (OGASH) conference that was held between April 13 and 15 at Istanbul,Turkey,says that Preeclampsia is one of the prime reasons of maternal mortality. Pre-eclampsia refers to a set of symptoms rather than any causative factor,and there are many different causes for the condition. It appears likely that there are substances from the placenta that can cause endothelial dysfunction in the maternal blood vessels of susceptible women.

While blood pressure elevation is the most visible sign of the disease,it involves generalised damage to the maternal endothelium,kidneys,and liver,with the release of vasoconstrictive factors being secondary to the original damage.

Pre-eclampsia may develop from 20 weeks gestation (it is considered early onset before 32 weeks,which is associated with increased morbidity). Its progress differs among patients; most cases are diagnosed pre-term. Pre-eclampsia may also occur up to six weeks post-partum. Apart from Caesarean section or induction of labor (and therefore delivery of the placenta),there is no known cure. It is the most common of the dangerous pregnancy complications; it may affect both the mother and the unborn child. As a former president of FOGSI,which houses the National Eclampsia Registry,Gupte is also a National Consultant in patient safety and ethical issues in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.