Dear Gregory:

You copied and pasted what seems like a very impressive, organized and thorough medical research proposal that your wife produced, aimed at investigating (for the purpose of early detection and prevention and improved prenatal care) pre-eclampsia under the age of 25, in a government health center in Kenya (Thika Level 5). Pre-eclampsia is a global medical condition of high blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy and often involves signs of liver and kidney damage. The risk factors are: 1st pregnancy, a twin/ triplets pregnancy, a mother younger than 20 or older than 40, obesity pre-existing hypertension or diabetes, and a history of pre-eclampsia in previous pregnancies.

Pre-eclampsia symptoms are: high blood pressure, proteinuria (the presence of excess protein in the urine), edema (swelling, particularly in the hands and face, headaches, visual disturbances (blurred vision, sensitivity to light, etc.), and abdominal pain. Not all pre-eclampsia patients experience all of these symptoms, and the severity of distressing symptoms among patients varies widely.

The proposal’s “Data Collection Procedures” section includes surveying pregnant women during their routine prenatal visits, asking and recording information about their demographics (age, marital status, religion, monthly house income), medical history (including what symptoms, if any, they are experiencing) lifestyle factors, awareness of pre-eclampsia etc., and , entering the information into statistical software for analysis.

Gregory, this is a very impressive paper (for a layperson, such as myself) and it’s for a good cause, I am impressed!

anita