Oxidative Stress and Preeclampsia

Eclampsia is one of the most common pregnancy complications causing high mortality and morbidity for both mother and foetus. Low birth weight and pre-maturity are very common features. Pre-eclampsia is associated with oxidative stress in the maternal circulation. The etiology and pathogenesis of the pregnancy syndrome preeclampsia remain poorly understood. There is substantial evidence to suggest that the diverse manifestations of preeclampsia, including altered vascular reactivity, vasospasm, and discrete pathology in many organ systems, are derived from pathologic changes within the maternal vascular endothelium. The imbalance between oxidative damage and antioxidant defences in pre-eclampsia leads to endothelial cell dysfunction. Endothelial cell dysfunction appears to be a central feature in the patho-physiology of pre-eclampsia.