[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7850]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


            RECOGNIZING MAY AS PREECLAMPSIA AWARENESS MONTH

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                          HON. KRISTI L. NOEM

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 26, 2015

  Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize May as Preeclampsia 
Awareness Month.
  Despite advances in treatment and technology across the medical 
field, the disease of preeclampsia continues to affect mothers and 
infants across the country. As one of the leading causes of premature 
birth, illness, and maternal death, preeclampsia afflicts one in 12 
women, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation.
  Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure, and its 
symptoms mimic common difficulties associated with pregnancy, like 
abdominal pain, the cause of headaches, vomiting, and anxiety. Because 
they are so common, many women may simply ignore these symptoms. Worse, 
little is known about preeclampsia. While current research suggests it 
is related to the placenta, we do not know why it occurs, we do not 
know how to cure it, and we are still learning about its long-term 
effects on mothers and their children.
  Our lack of understanding about preeclampsia is why I strongly 
support the work of groups like the Preeclampsia Foundation to educate 
women about the symptoms of preeclampsia and how they can find care. I 
also support the research being done at the National Institute of Child 
Health and Human Development. I am hopeful that research and support 
from NIH and the Preeclampsia Foundation will help us understand and 
address this disease.




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