St George Hospital researchers hope a new study into pre-eclampsia will help them identify women at risk of the condition.
Pre-eclampsia is the most common serious medical disorder of pregnancy.
Particularly in their first pregnancy, pregnant women can suffer from high blood pressure, kidney dysfunction leading to leakage of protein into the urine, swelling of hands, feet and face, and, in severe cases, dizziness, headaches and difficulties with vision.
If left untreated, it can lead to convulsions and other life-threatening problems for both mother and baby.
The study, which is supported by the St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation, will examine women and their babies six months after they give birth.
Associate professor Greg Davis, who is a senior staff specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, is leading the study.
“After they have had high blood pressure in pregnancy, women are three times more likely to have strokes and heart attacks later in life,” Dr Davis said.
“So if we know these women are at increased risk, it makes sense to follow them more closely and, hopefully, do things to lessen their risk.
“We hope to finish recruiting women to the study early next year and then start looking at things we can do to help women reduce their long term risk,” Dr Davis said.
Anyone interested in being part of the P4 Study must have had a baby at St George Hospital in the past six months.
Contact Lynne: 9113 2117.
