Kerry Katona Hospitalised Over Pregnancy Fears

Pregnant TV star Kerry Katona has been taken to hospital amid fears that she is suffering from the potentially life-threatening condition pre-eclampsia.

The 27-year-old, who is currently starring in MTV reality show 'Crazy In Love', was admitted to hospital in Macclesfield, Cheshire, her publicist Max Clifford has confirmed.

Mr Clifford told reporters that Kerry had been admitted to hospital as a "precautionary measure". He said that she had been in "increasing pain" over the past few days and that the symptoms she was displaying were possibly those of pre-eclampsia. He said: "She can hardly walk. She's had a pretty rough time. It's got worse and worse".

However, it was reported on Wednesday afternoon that Kerry was fine and was expected to be released from hospital soon.

A spokesperson for the star said that Katona had been suffering from water retention and low iron levels.

Pre-eclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication and symptoms include high blood pressure and protein in the mother's urine. The more severe the condition, the greater the risk of serious complications to both mother and baby. The cause of the condition is not known, but it is believed that it could be due to a problem with the placenta (afterbirth).

Kerry, a former singer with the pop group Atomic Kitten, has two daughters with her first husband, fomer Westlife star Brian McFadden, and another daughter with her second husband Mark Croft. The couple are reportedly planning to name their second child - a boy - after Mr Clifford.

The news of Kerry's admission to hospital comes a week after she was admitted to the Priory for the fourth time. Reports had alleged that Mr Croft, 37, had been unfaithful to the star, but Mr Clifford said that Kerry had been receiving treatment for bipolar disorder.

Kerry, a former Celebrity Mum of the Year who won 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here' in 2004, had been dogged by newspaper allegations that she has been taking drugs while pregnant. She has denied the reports.

(KMcA)