ABSTRACT
Diagnoses/Definitions (Table 1.1) Preeclampsia Sustained (at least twice, 6 hours but not >7 days apart) BP 140/90 mmHg and proteinuria (300 mg in 24 hours, without prior proteinuria) after 20 weeks of gestation in a woman with previously normal blood pressure (13,14). BP should be measured with adequate cuff size, position of the heart at arm level, and with calibrated equipment. The accuracy of dipstick urinalysis with a 1þ (0.1 g/L) threshold as well as random protein-to-creatinine ratios in the prediction of significant proteinuria by 24-hour urine is poor (15). Mild preeclampsia is usually defined as preeclampsia not meeting severe criteria (see below). “Toxemia” is a lay term. The “30-15 rule” and edema have been eliminated as criteria to diagnose preeclampsia.
