What complication is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine during pregnancy?

Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy characterized by the onset of high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine after the 20th week of gestation. It is a condition that affects both the mother and the fetus and can lead to significant health issues if not properly managed. The hypertension typically reads at or above 140/90 mmHg, and the proteinuria indicates that the kidneys are being affected, which can cause further complications.

This condition is particularly concerning because it can progress to more severe forms such as eclampsia, which encompasses seizures, and can result in significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Recognizing and managing preeclampsia early is crucial for the health of both mother and baby.

Other options, like gestational diabetes, primarily concern glucose levels and do not present with proteinuria or high blood pressure as defining features. Eclampsia represents a progression of preeclampsia and occurs when seizures develop, while placenta previa pertains to the abnormal placement of the placenta in relation to the cervix and does not involve hypertension or protein in the urine.