No patients were recruited. Treatment drug expired.

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and a leading cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Recent findings indicate preeclampsia is an inflammatory disorder associated with increased expression of COX-2. This study will test the hypothesis that treatment of women with a COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, will stop the inflammatory process and reverse symptoms of preeclampsia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women with preeclampsia between 20 - 32 weeks gestation. Preeclampsia is defined as a maternal blood pressure of >140/90 mmHg on two readings at least 6 hours apart with proteinuria of >300 mg/24 hours.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion criteria includes patients with known sensitivity to celecoxib; patients who have demonstrated allergic-type reactions to sulfonamides; patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Other exclusion criteria will include patients with known cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease, a prior history of ulcer disease or GI bleeding, impaired renal function, or liver dysfunction. Exclusion criteria will also include concomitant use of oral corticosteroids, anticoagulants, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, fluconazole, and lithium.