Causes of Pre Eclampsia

What are the Causes and Risk Factors of Pre-eclampsia?

Experts believe that a problem with the placenta causes pre-eclampsia. However, the exact cause of pre-eclampsia is not known.

Possible causes of pre-eclampsia include-

• Impaired blood flow to the placenta or uterus
• Damage to the blood vessels of the placenta
• Poor nutrition
• Autoimmune diseases
• High body fat
• Genes

Risk factors for pre-eclampsia include-

• First pregnancy
• If pregnant mother is younger than 18 years or older than 40 years of age.
• Prolonged spacing between two pregnancies.

• Low socioeconomic status.
• Multiple gestations such as twins or triplets.
• Molar pregnancy, an abnormal condition that mimics a normal pregnancy but is actually a tumor.
• History of chronic high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disorder, migraine, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE.
• Family history of pre-eclampsia (i.e., a mother, sister, grandmother or aunt who had the disorder).
• Women with higher-than-average body fat.
• New paternity - Every pregnancy with a new partner increases the risk of pre-eclampsia over a second or third pregnancy with the same partner.