In the month that marks World Preeclampsia Awareness Day (May 22), specialists warn that this condition, one of the leading causes of maternal death in Paraguay, shows no symptoms in its early phase. Early detection depends solely on regular prenatal check-ups from the first weeks of pregnancy.
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that can arise during gestation or up to six weeks after delivery. Caused by a defect in placental development, the disease can progress to multiple organ failure and lead to the death of the mother and baby. Globally, about 76,000 women and 500,000 babies die annually from this cause, most in low- and middle-income countries.
In Paraguay, the Rassmuss Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, has been working since 2017 through the Safe Motherhood Program. The initiative focuses on three fronts: prevention and early detection, emergency management, and public awareness.
In the area of prevention, the foundation offers continuous training nationwide and strengthens obstetric care in 12 referral centers, including the Hospital de Clínicas, the maternal and child hospitals of Loma Pytá, Fernando de la Mora and San Pablo, the general hospitals of Barrio Obrero, Lambaré, Luque and Villa Elisa, the Ciudad Mujer Center, the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este, and the district hospitals of Hernandarias and Presidente Franco.
For emergencies, the program reinforces the technical capabilities of teams through the national Red Code strategy, which trains professionals in the proper management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Awareness includes mass campaigns, free online courses, congresses, and lectures for pregnant women, highlighting the importance of not skipping any prenatal or postpartum check-up.
In women identified as high-risk, timely administration of preventive medication and rigorous monitoring can curb the progression of the disease to more severe forms. The main medical recommendation is to start prenatal care immediately after pregnancy confirmation.