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Eclampsia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Toxemia with seizures

Treatment:

A woman with eclampsia should be continously monitored. Delivery is the treatment of choice for eclampsia in a pregnancy over 28 weeks. For pregnancies less than 24 weeks, the start of labor is recommended, although the baby may not survive. 

Prolonging pregnancies in which the woman has eclampsia results in danger to the mother and infant death in approximately 87% of cases.

Women may be given medicine to prevent seizures (anticonvulsant). Magnesium sulfate is a safe drug for both the mother and the baby.

Medication may be used to lower the high blood pressure. The goal is to manage severe cases until 32-34 weeks and mild cases until 36 weeks of the pregnancy have passed. The condition is then relieved with the delivery of the baby. Delivery may be induced if blood pressure stays high despite medication.

Expectations (prognosis):

Women in the United States rarely die from eclampsia. 

Complications:

There is a higher risk for placenta seperation ( placenta abruptio ) with preeclampsia or eclampsia. There may be baby complications due to premature delivery.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if any symptoms of eclampsia or preeclampsia. Emergency symptoms include seizures or decreased consciousness.

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.

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