[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 75 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E717-E718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN RECOGNITION OF PREECLAMPSIA AWARENESS MONTH

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                       HON. JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 15, 2015

  Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Preeclampsia Awareness Month and the importance of addressing maternal 
and infant health.
   Preeclampsia is a serious and far too common complication of 
pregnancy and the postpartum period and is one of the leading causes of 
maternal deaths, illness, and premature birth. According to the 
Preeclampsia Foundation, the disease affects approximately 1 in 12 
women, and can result in seizure, stroke, organ failure or death. 
Prenatal care is necessary if preeclampsia or risk of preeclampsia is 
to be identified and monitored to ensure the health of the mom and 
baby.
   Unfortunately, too many people are unaware of this potentially fatal 
condition. The main indicator of preeclampsia is high blood pressure. 
Additional symptoms of preeclampsia are common to pregnancy such as 
headaches, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, vomiting, confusion, 
heightened state of anxiety or visual disturbances such as 
oversensitivity to light or blurred vision. That is why I support the 
Preeclampsia Foundation's efforts to educate women and their families 
to know the symptoms, respond to warning signs, and seek prenatal care.
   So much more needs to be understood about this condition--why it 
occurs, how to cure it, and its long-term effect on a woman and her 
child's health. Research has demonstrated a possible direct link to the 
placenta. I understand that the National Institute of Child Health and 
Human Development at NIH has embarked on a new effort to understand 
diseases and conditions related to the placenta, and it is my hope that 
it leads to new discovery for preeclampsia and other conditions of 
pregnancy.
   Together we must do all we can to eliminate preventable maternal and 
infant death and disability. I am hopeful for the promise of our 
research efforts, and I am grateful for the work of clinicians around 
this country and organizations like the Preeclampsia Foundation who 
work so tirelessly to advance maternal and infant health and well-
being.

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