Wellbeing of Women

Sargent

2003, Sargent, Redman

Mechanisms of the systemic inflammatory response in pre-eclampsia and the HELLP syndrome.

Pre-eclampsia is one of the most common and dangerous problems that can affect mothers and babies during pregnancy. At its worst, it can lead to serious damage to the liver and to problems with blood clotting. We do not know what causes it, although we do know that it involves an inflammatory response in the mother's system, in excess of what is normal in pregnancy. This research will investigate:

the nature of the intense inflammatory response in pre-eclampsia.
whether anti-oxidants (such as vitamins C and E) could be used to control this response.
whether microscopic debris shed from the placenta into the mother's blood may be a trigger for this response.

This project will contribute to better understanding of what triggers pre-eclampsia and how it develops. This enhanced understanding could help to develop new ways of treating a condition that currently presents serious risks for mothers and babies.

*HELLP syndrome H= hemolysis [breakdown of red blood cells], EL= elevated liver enzymes, LP= low platelet count [an essential blood clotting element]