Eclampsia
Pregnancy - eclampsia; Preeclampsia - eclampsia; High blood pressure - eclampsia; Seizure - eclampsia; Hypertension - eclampsiaEclampsia is the new onset of seizures or coma in a pregnant woman with preeclampsia. These seizures are not related to an existing brain condition.
Seizures
A seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleCauses
The exact cause of eclampsia is not known. Factors that may play a role include:
- Blood vessel problems
- Brain and nervous system (neurological) factors
- Diet
- Genes
Eclampsia follows a condition called preeclampsia. This is a complication of pregnancy in which a woman has high blood pressure and other findings.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure and signs of liver or kidney damage that occur in women after the 20th week of pregnancy. While it is rare, pree...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleMost women with preeclampsia do not go on to have eclampsia (seizures). It is hard to predict which women will. Women at high risk of seizures often have severe preeclampsia with findings such as:
- Abnormal blood tests
- Headaches
- Very high blood pressure
- Vision changes
- Abdominal pain
Your chances of getting preeclampsia increase when:
- You are 35 or older.
- You are African American.
- This is your first pregnancy.
- You have diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - You are having more than 1 baby (such as twins or triplets).
- You are a teen.
- You are obese.
- You have a family history of preeclampsia.
- You have autoimmune disorders.
- You have undergone in vitro fertilization.
- You have history of a clotting disorder.
Symptoms
Symptoms of eclampsia include:
- Seizures
- Severe agitation
- Unconsciousness
- Altered mental status and confusion
Most women will have these symptoms of preeclampsia before the seizure:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Swelling of the hands and face
- Vision problems, such as loss of vision, blurred vision, double vision, or missing areas in the visual field
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will do a physical exam to look for causes of seizures. Your blood pressure and breathing rate will be checked regularly.
Blood and urine tests may be done to check:
- Blood clotting factors
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Blood creatinine
Blood creatinine
The creatinine blood test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. This test is done to see how well your kidneys are working. Creatinine in t...
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Uric acid
Uric acid
Uric acid is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines. Purines are normally produced in the body and are also found in...
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Liver function
Liver function
Liver function tests are common tests that are used to see how well the liver is working. Tests include:AlbuminAlpha-1 antitrypsinAlkaline phosphata...
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Platelet count
Platelet count
A platelet count is a lab test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets are particles in the blood that help the blood clot. ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Protein in the urine
- Hemoglobin level
Treatment
The main treatment to prevent severe preeclampsia from progressing to eclampsia is giving birth to the baby. Letting the pregnancy go on can be dangerous for you and the baby.
You may be given medicine to prevent seizures. These medicines are called anticonvulsants.
Your provider may give you medicine to lower high blood pressure. If your blood pressure stays high, delivery may be needed, even if it is before the baby is due.
Possible Complications
Women with eclampsia or preeclampsia have a higher risk for:
- Separation of the placenta (placenta abruptio)
Placenta abruptio
The placenta is the organ that supplies nutrients and oxygen to the baby during pregnancy. Placental abruption occurs when the placenta detaches fro...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Premature delivery that leads to complications in the baby
- Blood clotting problems
- Stroke
- Infant death
- Maternal death
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider or go to the emergency room if you have any symptoms of eclampsia or preeclampsia. Emergency symptoms include seizures or decreased alertness.
Seek medical care right away if you have any of the following:
- Bright red vaginal bleeding
- Little or no movement in the baby
- Severe headache
- Severe pain in the upper right abdominal area
- Vision loss
- Nausea or vomiting
Prevention
Getting medical care during your entire pregnancy is important in preventing complications. This allows problems such as preeclampsia to be detected and treated early.
Getting treatment for preeclampsia may prevent eclampsia.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Task Force on Hypertension in Pregnancy. Hypertension in pregnancy. Report of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Task Force on Hypertension in Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;122(5):1122-1131. PMID: 24150027 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24150027/.
Harper LM, Tita A, Karumanchi SA. Pregnancy-related hypertension. In: Lockwood CJ, Copel JA, Dugoff L, eds. Creasy and Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 45.
Henn MC, Lall MD. Complications of pregnancy. In: Walls RM, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 173.
Sibai BM. Preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 38.
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Preeclampsia - illustration
Preeclampsia is the development of swelling, elevated blood pressure, sudden and rapid weight gain and protein in the urine during pregnancy. The exact cause is unknown, but it occurs in approximately 5% of the population.
Preeclampsia
illustration
Review Date: 3/31/2024
Reviewed By: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.