Table 5.

Criteria for headaches in pre-eclampsia

A. Headache with at least one of the following characteristics and fulfilling criteria C and D:

1. Bilateral

2. Pulsating quality

3. Aggravated by physical activity

B. Pregnancy or puerperium (up to 4 weeks postpartum), and pre-eclampsia defined by both of the following:

1. Hypertension (> 140/90 mmHg) documented on two blood pressure readings at least 4 hours apart

2. Urinary protein excretion > 0.3 g per 24 hours

C. Headache develops during periods of high blood pressure

D. Headache resolves within 7 days after effective treatment of hypertension

E. Appropriate investigations have ruled out vasopressor toxins, medications, or pheochromocytoma as causative factors