My Sister

[tsquare]

My sister has been diagnosed with preeclampsia. She is meant to travel to the states but we are all worried as to whether if this is advisable. She is currently in her 35th week. The trip to the states from Nigeria is a long one - more than 10hrs. She has currently been on bedrest at the hospital

Worried Sister

[expert on call]

If the sister has been diagnosed with preeclampsia and hospitalized at 35 weeks, it would be likely a significant risk to leave that environment, especially to consider a prolonged transatlantic flight. Should severe hypertension ensue during transit, or an eclamptic seizure, treatment for such is lacking on aircraft and maternal and/or fetal death could result. Hospitalization in Nigeria likely was undertaken because of concern for the patient and her pregnancy--a recognition of risk and a need for close maternal and fetal surveillance, something that can't be undertaken safely during the circumstances to be encountered with a flight as described.

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