The term is used to describe a serious clinical situation where high blood pressure in pregnancy is compounded with blood and liver disorders. This is a life threatening condition with a high chance of the baby being severely affected. Biochemical abnormalities seen in laboratory tests include elevated liver enzymes, a decreased clotting ability of the blood and ruptured blood cells.

Reasons:
The cause for this disorder among pregnant women with high blood pressure is unknown.

Symptoms:
Headache, nausea, blurring of vision and severe upper abdominal pain. The blood pressure is usually very high and there is loss of protein in the urine. Swelling of the body especially the legs is often seen.

Precautions:
As the exact cause of the disease is unknown, methods to prevent it are not present.

General treatment:
Treatment involves stabilizing the patient by reducing the blood pressure and correcting coagulation disorders at the earliest. Early delivery of the baby provides best results for both baby and the mother. Soon after delivery the condition almost always regresses in the mother, but it can recur (25% chance) in a subsequent pregnancy.