II. Definitions

  1. Eclampsia ("sudden flash" or "shining forth")
    1. Most severe form of PIH characterized by Seizures
  2. Also referred to as Toxemia or "toxin present"

III. Epidemiology

  1. Rare <20 weeks gestation (except in hydatiform mole)
  2. Most episodes occur prior to delivery
    1. Antepartum Seizure: 53% of cases
    2. Intrapartum Seizure: 19% of cases
    3. Postpartum Seizure: 28% of cases
      1. Majority (79%) of postpartum Seizures are late postpartum (>48 hours after delivery)

IV. Pathophysiology

  1. Results from focal cerebral edema
  2. Associated with transient Vasoconstriction and ischemia
  3. Usually results from progressive Severe Preeclampsia
  4. May also occur with little warning
    1. Mild Preeclampsia may precede Eclamptic Seizure
  5. Blood Pressure is only mildly increased in 30-60% of patients
    1. Up to 15% of cases have diastolic BP <90 mmHg

V. Signs

  1. See Preeclampsia
  2. Phase 0: Preceding symptoms
    1. Headache (80%)
    2. Visual changes (45%)
  3. Phase 1: Prodrome (brief)
    1. Twitching
    2. Facial congestion
    3. Mouth foaming
    4. Altered Level of Consciousness
  4. Phase 2: Tonic
    1. Muscle rigidity
  5. Phase 3: GTCS activity for 1 to 1.5 minutes
    1. Rhythmic Muscle Contractions and relaxation
    2. Generalized Tonic Clonic Seizure
    3. Loss of respiratory activity
    4. Fetal Bradycardia
  6. Phase 4: Comatose
    1. Respiratory effort, but otherwise comatose
  7. Phase 5: Post-ictal
    1. Confused and agitated, combative

VI. Management

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

Related Studies