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Eclampsia is seizures (convulsions) in a pregnant woman that are not related to a preexisting brain condition.
See also: Preeclampsia
Alternative NamesToxemia with seizures
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe 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
- 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
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
If you have preeclampsia your health care provider should carefully monitor you for signs of worsening and potential eclampsia. Delivery is the treatment of choice for severe preeclampsia in an attempt to prevent eclampsia. Delivering the baby relieves the condition. Prolonging the pregnancy can be dangerous to both you and your infant.
With careful monitoring, the goal is to manage severe cases until 32 - 34 weeks into the pregnancy, and mild cases until 36 - 37 weeks have passed. This helps reduce complications from premature delivery.
You may be given medicine to prevent seizures (anticonvulsant). Magnesium sulfate is a safe drug for both you and your baby. Your doctor may prescribe medication to lower high blood pressure, but you may have to deliver if your blood pressure stays high, even with medication.
Expectations (prognosis)Women in the United States rarely die from eclampsia.
ComplicationsThere is a higher risk for separation of the placenta (placenta abruptio) with preeclampsia or eclampsia. There may be complications for the baby due to premature delivery.
A blood clotting abnormality called DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) may occur.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider or go to the emergency room if you have any symptoms of eclampsia or preeclampsia. Emergency symptoms include seizures or decreased consciousness.
PreventionIt is important for all pregnant women to get early and ongoing medical care. This allows for the early diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as preeclampsia. Treating preeclampsia may prevent eclampsia.
ReferencesACOG 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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the difference is that in PRE ECLAMPSIA there is PROTEINURIA and Eclampsia there is no proteinuria!
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Eclampsia occurs in about 1 out of every 200 women with preeclampsia.
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This just means hypertension in pregnancy, although it may lead to eclampsia/fit/miscarriage.
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Pre-eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy, not something a pregnant woman commits.
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It is important to seek immediate veterinary care for a cat with eclampsia, as it is a serious medical condition that requires professional treatment. Home remedies are not recommended for treating eclampsia in cats.
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Eclampsia is a serious form of preeclampsia, is characterized by convulsions and sometimes coma Treatment for this condition is delivery of the fetus.
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F. Lyall has written:
'Pre-eclampsia' -- subject(s): Pre-Eclampsia, Etiology, Therapy, Preeclampsia
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Pre-eclampsia. If the woman also gets a seizure it is eclampsia.
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usually because either they don't know that they're pregnant and they drink, do drugs, or are sick, and they get eclampsia, or that it runs in their family.
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Complications of pregnancy. In preeclampsia, the woman has dangerously high blood pressure, swelling, and protein in the urine. If allowed to progress, this syndrome will lead to eclampsia.
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is it eclampsia
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eclampsia
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Eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy characterized by seizures and high blood pressure. The underlying mechanism involves vasospasm, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction leading to cerebral edema and seizures. It can affect multiple organs, including the brain, liver, and kidneys, and requires immediate medical intervention to protect both the mother and baby.
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Eclampsia in cats is a serious condition that can cause symptoms such as muscle tremors, weakness, and seizures. Treatment typically involves intravenous calcium supplementation and supportive care to stabilize the cat's condition. It is important to seek immediate veterinary attention if you suspect your cat may be suffering from eclampsia.
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Eclampsia
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Eclampsia
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Pre-eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy with multisystem implications. By detecting the concentration of Lactic dehydrogenase the mobilization of advanced treatment teams enhanced survival for mother and child.
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This is known as pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. The cause of pre-eclampsia is not actually known. It is accompanied by high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and fluid retention. It can occur at any time in the pregnancy, but not usually until the last triemster. Doctors do regular urine test throughout a woman's pregnancy to make sure the are not developing this condition.
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Related complications.
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Magnesium sulfate is a chemical compound composed of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It is commonly used in medicine as a treatment for conditions like pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and constipation. In gardening, it can be used to replenish magnesium levels in the soil.
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A eclampsia
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preeclampsia
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Although this could well be normal, it could also be symptoms of pre-eclampsia, so it is important that you go and see your doctor or midwife pretty soon. It is unlikely that it is pre-eclampsia, but it is better to get checked out sooner than later.
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This condition is pre-eclampsia where there is edema because too much protein and salt in the diet.
Most pregnant women get swollen feet without pre-eclampsia. Your hands and arms can also swell. You are retaining more water and it is not dangerous.
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The exact cause of preeclampsia and eclampsia is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve problems with the placenta and blood vessels. Risk factors include a history of high blood pressure, first pregnancy, age over 40, obesity, and certain medical conditions. Preeclampsia involves high blood pressure and protein in the urine, while eclampsia is a severe form that includes seizures.
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my sisiter had this. pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-induced condition, which can occur in the second half of pregnancy. It is characterised by high blood pressure, swelling that happens suddenly along with rapid weight gain due to fluid retention, and protein in the urine. Since it reduces the flow of blood to the placenta, pre-eclampsia can be quite dangerous for your unborn baby. It can restrict your baby's growth because not enough oxygen or nutrients get through. If you have any reason to suspect that you might have pre-eclampsia consult your doctor.
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She got eclampsia, a life threatening disease which left her in a permanent coma.
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Blood pressure, weight measurement, urine test for the mother. The fetus is monitored by ultrasound.
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Eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy where the patient has tonic clonic seizures. It is most common in the third trimester of pregnancy. It may occur up to 6 weeks after pregnancy, in the period of time called the puerperium, during which the changes that occur during pregnancy regress back to the pre-pregnant state.
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Strongly doubt it. So far as I know, there is no known relationship between chiari malformation and the placental abnormalities mentioned above (pre-eclampsia, abruption, previa).
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Mothers can experience brain damage, blindness, kidney failure, liver rupture, and placental abruption.
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