Eclampsia Overview
Learn About Eclampsia
Eclampsia is the new onset of seizures or coma in a pregnant woman with preeclampsia. These seizures are not related to an existing brain condition.
Pregnancy - eclampsia; Preeclampsia - eclampsia; High blood pressure - eclampsia; Seizure - eclampsia; Hypertension - eclampsia
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.
Most 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.
- 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 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
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.
Medstar Medical Group Ii LLC
Victoria Greenberg is an Obstetrics and Gynecologist and a Neonatologist in Leonardtown, Maryland. Dr. Greenberg and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Eclampsia. Her top areas of expertise are Gestational Diabetes, HELLP Syndrome, Tetanus, and Eclampsia. Dr. Greenberg is currently accepting new patients.
Virginia Hospital Center Physician Group LLC
Nora Graham is an Obstetrics and Gynecologist in Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Graham and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Eclampsia. Her top areas of expertise are Eclampsia, Preeclampsia, Female Genital Sores, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Dr. Graham is currently accepting new patients.
Inova Health Care Services
Ramani Balu is a Neurologist in Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Balu and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Eclampsia. His top areas of expertise are Increased Intracranial Pressure, Stroke, Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation, Thrombectomy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Balu is currently accepting new patients.
Women with eclampsia or preeclampsia have a higher risk for:
- Separation of the placenta (placenta abruptio)
- Premature delivery that leads to complications in the baby
- Blood clotting problems
- Stroke
- Infant death
- Maternal death
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
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.
Summary: The purpose of this research is to study digital health interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease in individuals who have had a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP).
Summary: Caesarean section (CS) is a surgical procedure performed to facilitate delivery of the baby through an incision made on the mother's abdomen. Ideally, it is recommended in situations where normal vaginal delivery (VD) can pose risks to either the mother baby or both . In the western world women have only one or two children, while in the East or the Middle East, women are culturally coerced into h...
Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published 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.
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/.
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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.