Practice bulletin #33: diagnosis and management of preeclampsia and eclampsia

Hypertensive disease occurs in approximately 12-22% of pregnancies, and it is directly responsible for 17.6% of maternal deaths in the United States (1,2). However, there is confusion about the terminology and classification of these disorders. This bulletin will provide guidelines for the diagnosis and management of hypertensive disorders unique to pregnancy (ie, preeclampsia and eclampsia), as well as the various associated complications. Chronic hypertension has been discussed elsewhere (3).