Bilirubin is a naturally occurring yellow pigment that forms when red blood cells break down. GS is a genetic condition whereby a single gene mutation prevents the liver from properly removing bilirubin from the blood. Between 5 â 10% of the population may have GS, but around one-third donât have symptoms.1.
High blood pressure can harm the mother's kidneys and other organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery. In the most serious cases, the mother develops preeclampsia-or toxemia of pregnancy--which can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus.
A history of the condition in other female relatives' pregnancies also places a woman at higher risk. Women with other existing conditions, such as kidney disease, chronic high blood pressure, and diabetes, tend to develop toxemia as well.