Eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy that occurs in the second half of pregnancy. It is characterized by seizures that occur in pregnant people with preeclampsia, a disorder of pregnancy in which a person who’s pregnant has high blood pressure and protein in their urine. Eclampsia is a rare but serious condition that affects less than 3% of people with preeclampsia. Symptoms of eclampsia include high blood pressure, headaches, blurry vision, and convulsions. Seizures are episodes of shaking, confusion, and disorientation caused by abnormal brain activity. Eclampsia can cause complications during pregnancy and requires emergency medical care.
Eclampsia typically occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. Although most women who develop eclampsia have been diagnosed with preeclampsia, that is not always the case. Eclampsia can strike suddenly and can lead to confusion, disorientation, loss of consciousness, stroke, severe hypoxia, aspiration pneumonia, or coma. While most patients can recover with swift treatment, eclampsia can be fatal.
Prompt medical treatment for preeclampsia may prevent you from getting eclampsia. Women with eclampsia or preeclampsia have a higher risk for complications such as separation of the placenta, premature delivery that leads to complications in the baby, blood clotting problems, stroke, and infant death. If you have any symptoms of eclampsia or preeclampsia, seek emergency medical care right away. Symptoms of preeclampsia include high blood pressure and protein in your urine, and further symptoms can develop, including severe headache, vision problems, pain just below the ribs, vomiting, and sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet. The only way to cure preeclampsia is to deliver the baby, so youll usually be monitored regularly until its possible for your baby to be delivered.
