HR 158 — A Resolution designating the month of May 2025 as "Preeclampsia Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.    1187

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 158
                                              Session of
                                                2025

     INTRODUCED BY HANBIDGE, FREEMAN, KHAN, VENKAT, McNEILL, HILL-
        EVANS, SANCHEZ, GIRAL, MADDEN, WAXMAN, MAYES, CEPHAS,
        CERRATO, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, HOWARD, D. WILLIAMS, HOHENSTEIN,
        STEELE, O'MARA, SHUSTERMAN AND GREEN, MARCH 31, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MARCH 31, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Designating the month of May 2025 as "Preeclampsia Awareness
 2      Month" in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, Preeclampsia is a dangerous complication of
 4   pregnancy that is associated with a rapid rise in blood pressure
 5   that can lead to a variety of negative health outcomes,
 6   including seizures, strokes and organ failure, among other
 7   conditions; and
 8      WHEREAS, Preeclampsia generally occurs after the 20th week of
 9   pregnancy, but in rare cases, the condition can develop after
10   the mother gives birth, which demands immediate treatment; and
11      WHEREAS, In the most severe cases, preeclampsia can lead to
12   the death of the mother or the infant, in addition to premature
13   birth, which also presents significant, long-term health risks
14   for the mother and child; and
15      WHEREAS, Preeclampsia is estimated to occur in 2% to 8% of
16   all pregnancies and is one of the leading causes of death due to
17   pregnancy; and
 1      WHEREAS, A pregnant individual is at a higher risk of
 2   preeclampsia if the individual is undergoing a first pregnancy,
 3   is over 40 years of age, has experienced a large interval since
 4   her last pregnancy, has had preeclampsia during a previous
 5   pregnancy or has a history of hypertension, chronic kidney
 6   disease or diabetes, among other conditions; and
 7      WHEREAS, HELLP syndrome is a variant of preeclampsia named
 8   for its characteristics of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and
 9   low platelet count; and
10      WHEREAS, The conditions of HELLP syndrome may develop without
11   any prior symptoms, are life-threatening to both the mother and
12   infant and may present lifelong health complications for the
13   mother; and
14      WHEREAS, If not properly recognized and managed, preeclampsia
15   can progress to eclampsia, which can cause pregnancy-related
16   seizures or comas, although eclampsia can develop without any
17   observed symptoms of preeclampsia; and
18      WHEREAS, Public education on signs and symptoms of
19   preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome and eclampsia can help those who
20   are pregnant recognize these threatening conditions and seek
21   appropriate medical care; and
22      WHEREAS, Prenatal education should incorporate recognition of
23   symptoms, including spikes in maternal blood pressure, sudden
24   swelling of face and hands, severe upper abdominal pain, blurred
25   vision, persistent headaches and breathlessness; and
26      WHEREAS, Many residents of this Commonwealth have joined with
27   the Preeclampsia Foundation to raise public awareness in keeping
28   with the goal of minimizing maternal and infant illness and
29   death due to preeclampsia; and
30      WHEREAS, The House of Representatives supports the

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1   Preeclampsia Foundation in its efforts to provide support and
2   improve health care practices for individuals impacted by
3   preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy;
4   therefore be it
5      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
6   month of May 2025 as "Preeclampsia Awareness Month" in
7   Pennsylvania.




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