Eclampsia
Eclampsia is pregnancy-related seizure activity that is usually caused by severe preeclampsia (a pregnancy complication). Eclampsia is a life-threatening condition for both a mother and her fetus. During a seizure, the oxygen supply to the fetus is drastically reduced.
Less than 1% of women with preeclampsia experience seizures. Sudden eclampsia can occur before, during, or (rarely) up to 6 weeks after delivery. Seizures that do occur after delivery (postpartum seizures) are most common during the first 48 hours after delivery.
Magnesium sulfate treatment is a highly effective prevention and treatment for eclampsia. It is typically given to high-risk women during labor and for 24 hours after delivery and to women having an eclamptic seizure.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
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