An adverse condition in pregnancy that can lead to complications of both the mother and the unborn child
Occurs when serious seizures develop in a women with pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia is a condition of elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine.
Seizure activity is found in an indivudial without a previous seizure history or known seizure activity
Although in very rare cases eclampsia can begin in someone without a having pre-eclampsia
Is seen on average in 0.50 per 1,000 births in the United States
Is one of the leading causes for both maternal and perinatal deaths
Seizures typically begin in the third trimester and rarely begin prior to that.
However, can also begin during labour and within the first few days following child birth
Extremely rare is when seizures are seen up to 6 weeks following delivery
Symptoms
- Pregnancy-induced Hypertension
- Elevated protein in Urine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Vision changes
- Followed by seizure activity
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Edema
Seizure Activity Stages
1.) Invasion - Facial twitching - especially around the mouth
2.) Contraction - Rigidity of the body
3.) Convulsion - Large muscle and body movements - tongue can be bitten, foam around the mouth, head hitting the ground, arms and legs moving
4.) Coma - also referred to as loss of consciousness - individual will awaken with a loss of memory of the event. May be unsure where they are and what happened
*** – not all seizures pass through all 4 stages
Risk Factors
- Pre-eclampsia
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Twins or more
- Genetic
Causes
- Overall the cause is rather unclear
- Placental involvement
- Cerebral vascular involvement – Theory
- VasoActive agents – Theory
Treatment
- Magnesium sulfate – controls seizures
- Antihypertensive management
. Hydralazine
. Labetalol
- Child delivery