preeclampsia

noun

pre·​eclamp·​sia ˌprē-i-ˈklam(p)-sē-ə 

: a serious condition developing in late pregnancy that is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, generalized edema, proteinuria, severe headache, and visual disturbances and that may result in eclampsia if untreated

preeclamptic

ˌprē-i-ˈklam(p)-tik 

adjective

Examples of preeclampsia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 60,000 square feet of space on the fourth floor of the hospital in Hollywood is designed to draw expectant mothers with uneventful deliveries as well as those facing conditions such as preeclampsia, placenta accreta spectrum, and gestational diabetes. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2025

If a woman starts to develop life-threatening preeclampsia toward the end of her pregnancy, a doctor may induce birth prematurely. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

In the last trimester of her pregnancy, Looney developed preeclampsia, a serious condition whose signs include high blood pressure, which damaged her remaining kidney. —Jen Christensen, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024

These include preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome). —Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preeclampsia

• eclampsia

Medical Definition

preeclampsia

noun

pre·​eclamp·​sia ˌprē-i-ˈklam(p)-sē-ə 

: a serious condition developing in late pregnancy that is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, generalized edema, proteinuria, severe headache, and visual disturbances and that may result in eclampsia if untreated compare eclampsia sense a, toxemia of pregnancy