Toxemia is a complication of pregnancy that's also called pregnancy induced hypertension or preeclampsia. Toxemia is more common in women having their first child, and those with a history of of high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease; approximately 3 to 7 percent of pregnant women develop toxemia, the Merck Manual states. Toxemia can cause life-threatening complications; the cure is to deliver the fetus, although 25 percent of cases develop in the first few days after delivery.
Seizures
If seizures occur in toxemia, the disease is called eclampsia. Women with toxemia are often given magnesium sulfate intravenously to decrease muscle contractions and reduce the possibility of seizures, which can be fatal to both mother and baby.
Organ Damage
Because toxemia reduces blood flow to major organs, permanent damage to the liver, lungs, kidneys and brain can occur. Women with acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, may need to be put on a ventilator to help them breathe. Liver or kidney damage can cause acute liver or kidney failure, leading to a need for dialysis or transplant.
Bleeding Disorders
Toxemia can cause coagulopathy, abnormal clotting in the blood vessels. A complication called DIC, or disseminated intravascular coagulation, can lead to all the clotting factors in the body being consumed. Severe bleeding results and can lead to maternal and fetal death.
HELLP Syndrome
HELLP stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count; HELLP syndrome is particularly dangerous because it can occur before any other signs of toxemia are apparent, the Mayo Clinic states. HELLP is a life threatening complication that damages the liver and can cause DIC.
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption is the premature separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus; abruption causes severe maternal blood loss and leads to fetal death if the baby isn't delivered immediately.
Fetal Complications
The fetus receives a decreased amount of nutrients when maternal blood pressure is high; toxemia is associated with vasospasm, meaning that blood flow through the arteries all over the body, including the uterus and placenta, is severely decreased. Lack of nutrients results in slowed fetal growth, also called intrauterine fetal growth retardation, or IUGR. Babies whose mothers have toxemia may need to be delivered prematurely, which can cause increased risks for brain damage, cerebral palsy and other complications of prematurity. Complications such as seizures or abruption can lead to fetal demise in the uterus.
