Pregnancy complication that struck Kim Kardashian linked to dementia
Women who suffer pre-eclampsia during pregnancy are three-and-a-half times more likely to get dementia
- Pre-eclampsia reduces blood flow to a woman’s brain, leading to dementia
- Reduced blood flow in the placenta restricts oxygen and nutrients to the baby
- Leading cause of stillbirth and one of the biggest causes of maternal death
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Women who have pre-eclampsia during pregnancy are three-and-a-half times more likely to get dementia in later life, a study found.
Those who develop the potentially fatal complication while expecting are at greater risk of vascular dementia, caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
Researchers believe the heightened risk is caused by diseased blood vessels as a result of abnormally high blood pressure.
Kim Kardashian developed pre-eclampsia while pregnant with her eldest daughter North West in 2012-to-2013.
To prevent complications that would affect both her and her unborn child, the then 32-year-old Kim was induced six weeks early.
Kim Kardashian developed pre-eclampsia while pregnant with her eldest daughter North West in 2012-to-2013. To prevent complications, then 32-year-old Kim was induced six weeks early
Last year, Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell described how pre-eclampsia complications nearly killed her during the birth of her first daughter, Phoebe, now 16
The study’s findings could help thousands of high risk women to be identified and given early interventions to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Pre-eclampsia is one of the biggest threats to pregnant women and unborn babies, a leading cause of stillbirth and Britain’s second biggest cause of maternal death.
It is caused by reduced blood flow through the placenta, restricting the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the baby, which can inhibit growth.
It affects about 25,000 women in England and Wales each year, striking in the second half of the pregnancy.
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Last year, Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell described how pre-eclampsia complications nearly killed her during the birth of her first daughter, Phoebe, now 16.
‘My blood pressure soared and my blood wouldn’t clot,’ the prima ballerina said.
‘I had fluid on my heart and lungs, and it looked like I was going into a coma. It was a very close call.’
Scientists at Statens Serum Institut in Denmark analysed data for more than 1.1 million women who gave birth at least once between 1978 and 2015.
They found that women with a history of pre-eclampsia had more than three times the risk of vascular dementia later in life compared with women with no history of pre-eclampsia.
Beyoncé developed pre-eclampsia before giving birth to her twins Rumi and Sir Carter on June 13 last year. The ordeal put her into ‘survival mode’ while she spent a month on bed rest
All I Want For Christmas Is You Singer Mariah Carey also suffered while expecting Monroe and Moroccan, which led to the twins being delivered by C-section at 38 weeks on April 30 2011
WHAT COMPLICATIONS DID KIM KARDASHIAN SUFFER DURING HER PREGNANCIES?
While pregnant with her eldest daughter North West in 2012-to-2013, Kim Kardashian developed pre-eclampsia.
This affects around one in 20 pregnancies and reduces the flow of blood through the placenta.
As a result, a baby does not get the nutrients and oxygen it needs to develop properly.
To prevent complications that would affect both her and her unborn child, the then 32-year-old Kim was induced six weeks early.
Immediately afterwards, doctors discovered she was suffering from the life-threatening condition placenta accreta.
This occurs when the placenta attaches itself too deeply into the wall of the uterus. It may then remain attached after birth, leading to severe bleeding.
Writing in a blog, she said: ‘My doctor had to stick his entire arm in me and detach the placenta with his hand, scraping it away from my uterus with his fingernails.
‘They say this is what some women died from as a result of childbirth back in the day, without proper care.’
After giving birth, Kim was forced to have two surgeries to remove scar tissue so she could conceive again.
This association seemed to be particularly strong for those who developed the disease age 65 year and over.
In contrast, a history of pre-eclampsia was only modestly associated with the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, which is caused by the abnormal build-up of plaques – proteins – in the brain.
The findings, published in the BMJ, support previous studies which have found that women with a history of pre-eclampsia are more likely to face atherosclerosis – hardening and narrowing of the arteries – putting them at higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
The authors point out that these women were still relatively young, with 90 per cent less than 65 years old.
This meant the rates of dementia were much lower than would have been expected had the study included older women.
They conclude: ‘This study indicates that pre-eclampsia is associated with an increased risk of later dementia, particularly vascular dementia, suggesting that pre-eclampsia and vascular dementia may share underlying mechanisms or susceptibility pathways.’
Other celebrities who suffered from the condition include Beyoncé, who developed pre-eclampsia before giving birth to her twins Rumi and Sir Carter on June 13 last year.
She claims the ordeal put her into ‘survival mode’.
‘I was 218lbs (15.5st) the day I gave birth to Rumi and Sir,’ The Crazy In Love hit-maker told Vogue.
‘I was swollen from toxemia and had been on bed rest for over a month.’
Toxemia is the former name for pre-eclampsia.
‘My health and my babies’ health were in danger, so I had an emergency C-section,’ Beyoncé, who is married to the rapper Jay Z, added.
‘We spent many weeks in the NICU.’
And singer Mariah Carey also suffered while expecting Monroe and Moroccan, which led to the twins being delivered by C-section at 38 weeks on April 30 2011.
‘I don’t think I understood the enormity and the magnitude of what [pregnancy] really does to your body,’ Carey said, who divorced from the twins’ father Nick Cannon in 2016.
WHAT IS PRE-ECLAMPSIA?
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication that causes high blood pressure, which can be deadly for both a woman and her unborn baby if untreated.
It usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure is typically normal.
The most effective treatment is an early delivery; usually via C-section.
However, this may not be best for the baby if it is early on in the pregnancy.
Pre-eclampsia affects about 25,000 women in England and Wales each year, and four per cent of pregnancies in the US.
It can have no symptoms if it develops gradually rather than coming on suddenly.
A blood pressure reading above 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) on two occasions is usually the first sign.
Other symptoms may include:
- Severe headaches
- Blurred vision, temporary loss of sight or light sensitivity
- Upper abdominal pain, particularly under the ribs on the right side
- Nausea or vomiting
- Reduced urination
- Shortness of breath due to a build up of fluid in the lungs
Sudden weight gain, and swelling in the face and hands, are also symptoms, however, these can occur during normal pregnancies.
Pre-eclampsia is thought to begin in the placenta when its blood vessels narrow and do not react to hormones properly.
This reduces the amount of blood that flows through them.
Its underlying cause may be genetic, due to a problem with a woman’s immune system or existing blood vessel damage.
A woman is more at risk if she, or a member of her family, suffered from pre-eclampsia before.
The risk is also highest during the first pregnancy, and if a woman is over 40; obese; black; having a multiple birth, like twins; or conceived via IVF.
Existing medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, migraines and kidney disease also raise the risk.
If untreated, pre-eclampsia can restrict a baby’s growth or cause it to be delivered early.
The placenta can also separate from the uterus wall, which can lead to severe bleeding.
A woman may also suffer seizures, organ damage and even heart disease as a result of untreated pre-eclampsia.
Although treatment is usually inducing labour, if it is too early to deliver the baby, medications may be prescribed to lower a woman’s blood pressure.
There is no clear advice on how to prevent pre-eclampsia, however, research suggests taking a low-dose of aspirin and calcium supplements may help.
Pregnant women should talk to their doctor before taking any drugs or supplements.
Source: Mayo Clinic
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