Eclampsia

=Eclampsia=

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

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.
 * Causes**

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
 * Risk Factors**

Symptoms
Eclampsia follows pre-eclampsia, 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. - Seizures - Severe agitation - Unconsciousness - Muscle aches and pains Symtoms of preeclampsia include swelling of hands and face, gaining more than 2 pounds per week, headache, vision problems, and stomach pain

How to Treat
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and rule out other possible causes of seizures. Blood pressure and breathing rate will be checked and monitored. Blood tests may be performed to check: - Uric acid - Creatinine (to evaluate kidney function) - Liver function - Platelet count

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.

Other advice
- Women in the United States rarely die from eclampsia. - There is a higher risk for placenta seperation with preeclampsia or eclampsia. There may be baby complications due to premature delivery

Additional Resources
[|MedlinePlus - Eclampsia]