• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Eclampsia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

Eclampsia is the occurence of seizures (convulsions) in a pregnant woman. The seizures are unrelated to brain conditions and usually happen after the 20th week of pregnancy.

See also:  Preeclampsia

Alternative Names:

Toxemia with seizures

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of eclampsia is not well understood. Researchers believe a person's genes, diet, blood vessels, and neurological factors may play a role. However, no theories have yet been proven.

Eclampsia follows preeclampsia , a serious complication of pregnancy marked by high blood pressure, weight gain, and protein in the urine.

It is difficult to predict which women with preeclampsia will go on to have seizures. Women with very high blood pressure, headaches, vision changes, or abnormal blood tests have severe preeclampsia and are at high risk for seizures.

The rate of eclampsia is approximately 1 out of 2000 to 3000 pregnancies. The following increase a woman's chance for preeclampsia: 

• First pregnancies
• Teenage pregnancies
• Being 35 or older
• Being African-American
• Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.)
• History of diabetes , hypertension, or renal (kidney) disease

References:

ACOG Practice Bulletin Committee. Diagnosis and management of preeclampsia and eclampsia. Obstet Gynecol . 2002 Jan;99(1):159-67.

Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL. Obstetrics - Normal and Problem Pregnancies . 4th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2002:974-983.

• Review Date: 5/15/2006
• Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMedHealthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.