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Eclampsia - Overview

Alternative Names

Toxemia with seizures

Definition of Eclampsia:

Eclampsia is seizures (convulsions) in a pregnant woman that are not related to a preexisting brain condition.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of eclampsia is not well understood. Researchers believe the following may play a role:

Blood vessels
Brain and nervous system (neurological) factors
Diet
Genes

However, no theories have yet been proven.

Eclampsia follows preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that includes high blood pressure and excess and rapid weight gain.

It is difficult to predict which women with preeclampsia will go on to have seizures. Women at high risk for seizures have severe preeclampsia and:

Abnormal blood tests
Headaches
Very high blood pressure
Vision changes

Eclampsia occurs in about 1 out of every 2,000 to 3,000 pregnancies. The following increase a woman's chance for getting preeclampsia:

Being 35 or older
Being African American
First pregnancy
History of diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney (renal) disease
Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.)
Teenage pregnancy

Preeclampsia

Reviewed last on: 2/21/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

ACOG Practice Bulletin Committee. Diagnosis and management of preeclampsia and eclampsia. Obstet Gynecol. 2002;99:159-167.

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

Sibai BM. Hypertension. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 33.

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