Eclampsia
Updated December 30, 2014.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Definition:
Seizures (convulsions) that are not associated with any other brain abnormality or condition in a mother who has preeclampsia. 91% of the cases of this potentially life threatening illness will occur in the third trimester of pregnancy, but it can also occur earlier in pregnancy, in labor or in the postpartum period.
There are greater risks for complications including low birth weight (LBW), preterm delivery and fetal and/or maternal death when a woman has eclampsia. Eclampsia occurs in about 1 in 2,000-3,000 pregnancies.
Source
Eclampsia. A.D.A.M. Accessed 2/10/10.
Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. Gabbe, S, Niebyl, J, Simpson, JL. Fifth Edition.
Also Known As: toxemia
Common Misspellings: ecclampsia
Examples: She developed eclampsia at the end of her pregnancy.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Definition:
Seizures (convulsions) that are not associated with any other brain abnormality or condition in a mother who has preeclampsia. 91% of the cases of this potentially life threatening illness will occur in the third trimester of pregnancy, but it can also occur earlier in pregnancy, in labor or in the postpartum period.
There are greater risks for complications including low birth weight (LBW), preterm delivery and fetal and/or maternal death when a woman has eclampsia. Eclampsia occurs in about 1 in 2,000-3,000 pregnancies.
Source
Eclampsia. A.D.A.M. Accessed 2/10/10.
Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. Gabbe, S, Niebyl, J, Simpson, JL. Fifth Edition.
Also Known As: toxemia
Common Misspellings: ecclampsia
Examples: She developed eclampsia at the end of her pregnancy.