Title: Homocysteine in Hypertensive Disorders: Time to Focus on the Neglected Risk Factor
Authors: Dr Shaina Chamotra, Dr Ankit Chaudhary
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i7.73
Abstract
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are multisystem disorders consisting of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia and are a major cause of adverse perinatal outcomes.1,2 Both mother and child are affected equally with serious implications. In addition to elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, and convulsions these disorders are further characterized by ominous impaired liver function, increased serum uric acid, decreased platelet count and signs and symptoms such as headache, visual disturbance, epigastric pain and pulmonary odema.3 Though endothelial dysfunction and vasospasm have been considered central in pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia, our understanding of its causal factors and etiology is still minimal.4 Stipulated theories include abnormal trophoblastic invasion of uterine vessels, discordance of immunologic tolerance between placental and fetal tissues, genetic and dietary factors.5
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