Eclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy complication caused by high blood pressure and excessive protein in urine. It can cause seizures, coma, and maternal and fetal death. Delivery is the only cure, and antiepileptic drugs can help prevent further seizures. Prenatal care is crucial to prevent serious health risks.
Eclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy complication that is typically seen as the end stage of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia in pregnancy describes a condition in which women have excessive levels of protein in their urine and in which they have high blood pressure. Other symptoms such as a lower platelet count and swelling (oedema) may also be present. Although the symptoms can be managed to some extent, the condition cannot be cured by anything other than childbirth, and about 1% of women develop eclampsia, which can cause violent seizures and coma, and which in some cases risk maternal and fetal death.
Not all women who have this condition have been previously diagnosed with preeclampsia, although many who receive routine tests during pregnancy are identified with the condition and receive treatment. However, sometimes the first indication of serious problems is a seizure, which could result in unconsciousness. Other symptoms may include abnormally high blood pressure and some women have significant muscle and/or joint pain. Vision changes may be noted, and headaches, which are a common feature of high blood pressure, may be severe.
If an attack occurs during pregnancy, it is extremely important to see a doctor immediately. Doctors are likely to evaluate the patient for blood pressure levels and look at protein in the urine and liver and kidney function (via blood tests). When eclampsia is diagnosed, the goal is to get the mother within a reasonable time frame to deliver her baby. If the condition is extremely severe, a baby might be delivered about eight weeks early, and if the eclampsia is less severe, doctors might schedule the delivery about four weeks before the normal due date. Doctors also tend to give antiepileptic drugs that can help prevent further seizures.
Really the only way to cure this serious disease is to deliver the baby. This usually resolves the condition fairly quickly, although moms may still need blood pressure monitoring and doctors may not stop the anti-epileptic drugs right away. Patients should also discuss with their doctors the risk factors for this condition developing in a subsequent pregnancy, although this is not extremely likely. The most common risk factors for this condition include it being a first pregnancy, and especially if the pregnant woman is a teenager or over 35 years of age. Pregnancy with more than one child shows a slightly increased risk, as does high blood pressure or any kidney disease before pregnancy.
Although delivering the baby often ends the problem, a rare complication can occur after a baby is born. Postpartum eclampsia is a very serious health risk that can occur up to eight weeks after a baby is born. When eclampsia is diagnosed during pregnancy, special care should be taken after delivery to prevent or observe this complication.
Conditions such as eclampsia make a strong argument for the importance of prenatal care. With that care, most women who develop preeclampsia or eclampsia get the interventions they need to protect themselves and their babies. Without it, both mother and child could tragically suffer serious health risks and potential loss of life.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
