New Delhi, May 22 (H.S.): Elevated blood pressure during pregnancy can prove life-threatening for both the mother and the unborn child, experts from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) warned on Friday on the occasion of World Preeclampsia Day.

The specialists stressed that blood pressure readings above 140/90 during pregnancy should never be considered normal.

During a press conference organised at AIIMS, an expert panel comprising Dr. Neena Malhotra, Dr. Aparna Sharma, Dr. Vidushi Kulshrestha and Dr. Anubhuti Rana shared important insights regarding preeclampsia and pregnancy-related complications.

Dr. Neena Malhotra stated that preeclampsia is a serious medical condition in which high blood pressure can also affect other organs of the body, particularly the kidneys and liver. She warned that if not diagnosed and treated in time, the condition could endanger the lives of both the mother and the baby.

The doctors advised pregnant women not to ignore symptoms such as persistent headaches, blurred vision, swelling in the hands and feet, sudden weight gain and pain in the upper abdomen. They noted that regular medical check-ups and blood pressure monitoring can help detect the condition at an early stage.

Experts from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology appealed to pregnant women and their families not to take any form of high blood pressure lightly during pregnancy and to ensure timely consultations and regular examinations with doctors.

According to the specialists, screening for preeclampsia is possible during the first trimester itself. They said that timely administration of low-dose aspirin to high-risk women can reduce the risk of severe preeclampsia by up to 60 per cent.

The doctors also recommended regular antenatal check-ups, routine blood pressure monitoring and immediate medical attention if warning symptoms appear.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar