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Eclampsia - Symptom

Alternative Names

Toxemia with seizures

Symptoms:

Muscle aches and pains
Seizures
Severe agitation
Unconsciousness

Symptoms of preeclampsia include:

Gaining more than 2 pounds per week
Headaches
Nausea and vomiting
Stomach pain
Swelling of the hands and face
Vision problems

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will do a physical exam and rule out other possible causes of seizures. Blood pressure and breathing rate will be checked and monitored.

Blood and urine tests may be done to check:

Blood clotting factors
Creatinine
Hematocrit
Uric acid
Liver function
Platelet count
Protein in the urine

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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