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February 8, 2012
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Eclampsia

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Eclampsia Overview

Eclampsia, a life-threatening complicatio of pregnancy, results when a pregnant woman previously diagnosed with preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine) develops seizures or coma. In some cases, seizures or coma may be the first recognizable sign that a pregnant woman has preeclampsia. Key warning signs of eclampsia in a woman diagnosed with preeclampsia may be severe headaches, blurred or double vision, or seeing spots. Toxemia is a common name used to describe preeclampsia and eclampsia.

There has never been any evidence suggesting an orderly progression of disease beginning with mild preeclampsia progressing to severe preeclampsia and then on to eclampsia. The disease process can begin mild and stay mild, or can be initially diagnosed as eclampsia without prior warning.

  • Approximately 5-7% of all pregnancies are complicated by preeclampsia.
  • Preeclampsia usually occurs in a woman's first pregnancy but may occur for the first time in a subsequent pregnancy.
  • Less than one in 100 women with preeclampsia will develop eclampsia or (convulsions or seizures) or coma.
  • Up to 20% of all pregnancies are complicated by high blood pressure. Complications resulting from high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and eclampsia may account for up to 20% of all deaths that occur in pregnant women.
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Eclampsia

Pregnancy Overview

Pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized by a sperm, grows inside a woman's uterus (womb), and develops into a baby. In humans, this process takes about 264 days, but the obstetrician will date from the last menstrual period or 280 days (40 weeks).

  • The doctor will use certain terms in discussing a woman's pregnancy. Some of the following definitions are useful:

    • Intra-uterine pregnancy: A normal pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus (womb) and an embryo grows.

    • Embryo: The term used for the developing fertilized egg during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

    • Fetus: The term used for the developing embryo after 12 weeks of gestation.

    • Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (also called beta-hCG): This hormone is secreted by the placenta and can be measured to determine the presence and p...

Read the Pregnancy article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Pregnancy, Eclampsia »

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy associated with proteinuria with or without edema.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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