PRINTER'S NO. 3153
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
448
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY HANBIDGE, CONKLIN, HILL-EVANS, BURGOS, VENKAT,
GUENST, McNEILL, KHAN, SANCHEZ, POWELL, KINSEY, GIRAL, HOWARD
AND DONAHUE, MAY 21, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MAY 21, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May 2024 as "Preeclampsia Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Preeclampsia is a dangerous complication of
pregnancy that is associated with a rapid rise in blood pressure
that can lead to a variety of negative health outcomes,
including seizures, strokes and organ failure, among other
conditions; and
WHEREAS, Preeclampsia generally occurs after the 20th week of
pregnancy, but in rare cases, the condition can develop after
the mother gives birth, which demands immediate treatment; and
WHEREAS, In the most severe cases, preeclampsia can lead to
the death of the mother or the infant, in addition to premature
birth, which also presents significant, long-term health risks
for the mother and child; and
WHEREAS, Preeclampsia is estimated to occur in 5% to 7% of
all pregnancies and causes more than 70,000 maternal deaths and
500,000 fetal deaths worldwide each year; and
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WHEREAS, A pregnant individual is at a higher risk of
preeclampsia if the individual is undergoing a first pregnancy,
is over 40 years of age, has experienced a large interval since
her last pregnancy, has had preeclampsia during a previous
pregnancy or has a history of hypertension, chronic kidney
disease or diabetes, among other conditions; and
WHEREAS, HELLP syndrome is a variant of preeclampsia named
for its characteristics of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and
low platelet count; and
WHEREAS, The conditions of HELLP syndrome may develop without
any prior symptoms, are life-threatening to both the mother and
infant and may present lifelong health complications for the
mother; and
WHEREAS, If not properly recognized and managed, preeclampsia
can progress to eclampsia, which can cause pregnancy-related
seizures or comas, although eclampsia can develop without any
observed symptoms of preeclampsia; and
WHEREAS, Public education on signs and symptoms of
preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome and eclampsia can help those who
are pregnant recognize these threatening conditions and seek
appropriate medical care; and
WHEREAS, Prenatal education should incorporate recognition of
symptoms, including spikes in maternal blood pressure, sudden
swelling of face and hands, severe upper abdominal pain, blurred
vision, persistent headaches and breathlessness; and
WHEREAS, Many residents of this Commonwealth have joined with
the Preeclampsia Foundation to raise public awareness in keeping
with the goal of minimizing maternal and infant illness and
death due to preeclampsia; and
WHEREAS, In alignment with the Preeclampsia Foundation's 2024
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theme of "Predict, Prevent, Prevail," the House of
Representatives supports the Preeclampsia Foundation in its
efforts to provide support and improve health care practices for
individuals impacted by preeclampsia and related hypertensive
disorders of pregnancy; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of May 2024 as "Preeclampsia Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania.
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