Postpartum Preeclampsia Requires Prompt Evaluation, Referral, and Treatment

Although overall incidence of eclampsia has declined with improvements in detection and management of preeclampsia, incidence of delayed postpartum preeclampsia and eclampsia has risen. In a retrospective cohort study in 152 women who were discharged from a Detroit medical center after delivery and then readmitted 2 days to 6 weeks later with diagnoses of preeclampsia, researchers evaluated patient demographics, histories, intra- and postpartum management, symptoms, and complications.

In all, 147 women were black, 88 had vaginal births, and 64 had cesarean deliveries. Ninety-six women had no antecedent diagnoses of hypertensive disease, 7 had gestational hypertension, 14 had chronic hypertension, 28 had peripartum preeclampsia, and 7 had pre…