The cause of eclampsia is not well understood. If pre-eclampsia is not controlled, it can lead to eclampsia. Usually very few cases of eclampsia are reported in India, today. An increased risk for pre-eclampsia is associated
with first time pregnancies, teenage pregnancies or mothers older than 40 years, multiple pregnancies and women with a history of diabetes, hypertension or renal (kidney) disease.

Answered by Vikas Mor , an ibibo Citizen, at 4:30 PM on October 12, 2008

Eclampsia, a life-threatening complicatio of pregnancy, results when a pregnant woman previously diagnosed with preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine) develops seizures or coma. In some cases, seizures or coma may be the first recognizable sign that a pregnant woman has preeclampsia. Key warning signs of eclampsia in a woman diagnosed with preeclampsia may be severe headaches, blurred or double vision, or seeing spots. Toxemia is a common name used to describe preeclampsia and eclampsia.

There has never been any evidence suggesting an orderly progression of disease beginning with mild preeclampsia progressing to severe preeclampsia and then on to eclampsia. The disease process can begin mild and stay mild, or can be initially diagnosed as eclampsia without prior warning.
Approximately 5-7% of all pregnancies are complicated by preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia usually occurs in a woman's first pregnancy but may occur for the first time in a subsequent pregnancy.
Less than one in 100 women with preeclampsia will develop eclampsia or (convulsions or seizures) or coma.
Up to 20% of all pregnancies are complicated by high blood pressure. Complications resulting from high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and eclampsia may account for up to 20% of all deaths that occur in pregnant women.

Eclampsia Causes
No one knows what exactly causes preeclampsia or eclampsia.
Since we don't know what causes preeclampsia or eclampsia, we don't have any effective tests to predict when preeclampsia or eclampsia will occur, or treatments to prevent preeclampsia or eclampsia from occurring (or recurring).
Preeclampsia usually occurs with first pregnancies. However, preeclampsia may be seen with twins (or multiple pregnancies), in women older than 35 years, in women with high blood pressure before pregnancy, in women with diabetes, and in women with other medical problems (such as connective tissue disease and kidney disease).
For unknown reasons, African American women are more likely to develop eclampsia and preeclampsia than white women.
Preeclampsia may run in families, although the reason for this is unknown.
Preeclampsia is also associated with problems with the placenta, such as too much placenta, too little placenta, or how the placenta attaches to the wall of the uterus. Preeclampsia is also associated with hydatidiform mole pregnancies, in which no normal placenta and no normal baby are present.
There is nothing that any woman can do to prevent preeclampsia or eclampsia from occurring. Therefore, it is both unhealthy and not helpful to assign blame and to review and rehash events that occurred either just prior to pregnancy or during early pregnancy that may have contributed to the development of preeclampsia.

Answered by Mohd Saqib , an ibibo Master, at 1:39 AM on September 26, 2008

hi rinku!
Eclampsia is a serious condition most commonly defined as seizures or coma in a patient with other indications of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Eclampsia was once thought to be the endpoint of progressively worsening preeclampsia, but this is no longer the case. Instead, it is now recognized that some patients can develop eclampsia – or “eclamptic symptoms” – directly, without first developing any symptoms other than high blood pressure.

Despite this change in how eclampsia is viewed, it is still common to speak of the condition in terms of preeclampsia, which is why the official definition still talks about seizures or coma “in the setting of preeclampsia.” This somewhat outdated phrase really refers to a variety of symptoms –- along with the characteristic seizures –- that may include:

Protein in the urine
Elevated blood pressure (>140 mmHg systolic or >90 mmHg diastolic)
Abdominal pain
Decreased urine output
Signs of “fetal distress,” i.e. indications that the baby is having problems
Low blood platelet count
These additional symptoms are the background on which a diagnosis of eclampsia is made, but they are not required for diagnosis. In the presence of high blood pressure, seizures or coma are the defining symptom of eclampsia, and the only symptom required for diagnosis. Any pregnant woman with high blood pressure who has a seizure that can’t be attributed to some other cause can be diagnosed with eclampsia.

How Common is Eclampsia and When Does it Occur?
Though eclampsia is a very serious condition that can endanger the life of both mother and baby, it is relatively rare in the Western world. Data on how many women suffer from eclampsia suggest that the problem affects about 5 women in every 10,000 who give birth, or about one half of one tenth of one percent of all pregnant women.

About a fifth of all cases occur between 20 and 31 weeks of pregnancy; about a third occur at term during labor or 48 hours prior. Eclampsia is extremely rare before the 20th week of pregnancy, and the cases that do arise during this time are typically a sign of some other underlying disorder, such as a molar pregnancy or metabolic problem.

Eclampsia is more common in young (teenage) women and those older than age 35. Regardless of age, eclampsia is more common in women who have never before given birth. Data indicates that while minority groups seem to be at increased risk, this is most likely an effect of socio-economic factors, such as access to health care, rather than a true biological effect.

for more inf check http://highbloodpressure.about.com/ od/eclampsia/f/eclampsia.htm

Answered by sanjay , an ibibo Guru, at 7:04 PM on September 22, 2008

Eclampsia, a life-threatening complicatio of pregnancy, results when a pregnant woman previously diagnosed with preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine) develops seizures or coma. In some cases, seizures or coma may be the first recognizable sign that a pregnant woman has preeclampsia. Key warning signs of eclampsia in a woman diagnosed with preeclampsia may be severe headaches, blurred or double vision, or seeing spots. Toxemia is a common name used to describe preeclampsia and eclampsia.

There has never been any evidence suggesting an orderly progression of disease beginning with mild preeclampsia progressing to severe preeclampsia and then on to eclampsia. The disease process can begin mild and stay mild, or can be initially diagnosed as eclampsia without prior warning.
Approximately 5-7% of all pregnancies are complicated by preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia usually occurs in a woman's first pregnancy but may occur for the first time in a subsequent pregnancy.
Less than one in 100 women with preeclampsia will develop eclampsia or (convulsions or seizures) or coma.
Up to 20% of all pregnancies are complicated by high blood pressure. Complications resulting from high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and eclampsia may account for up to 20% of all deaths that occur in pregnant women.
No one knows what exactly causes preeclampsia or eclampsia.
Since we don't know what causes preeclampsia or eclampsia, we don't have any effective tests to predict when preeclampsia or eclampsia will occur, or treatments to prevent preeclampsia or eclampsia from occurring (or recurring).
Preeclampsia usually occurs with first pregnancies. However, preeclampsia may be seen with twins (or multiple pregnancies), in women older than 35 years, in women with high blood pressure before pregnancy, in women with diabetes, and in women with other medical problems (such as connective tissue disease and kidney disease).
For unknown reasons, African American women are more likely to develop eclampsia and preeclampsia than white women.
Preeclampsia may run in families, although the reason for this is unknown.
Preeclampsia is also associated with problems with the placenta, such as too much placenta, too little placenta, or how the placenta attaches to the wall of the uterus. Preeclampsia is also associated with hydatidiform mole pregnancies, in which no normal placenta and no normal baby are present.
There is nothing that any woman can do to prevent preeclampsia or eclampsia from occurring. Therefore, it is both unhealthy and not helpful to assign blame and to review and rehash events that occurred either just prior to pregnancy or during early pregnancy that may have contributed to the development of preeclampsia
source:http://ww w.emedicinehealth.com/eclampsi a/page2_em.htm#tocc

Answered by sonu sharma , an ibibo Citizen, at 9:53 AM on September 22, 2008

Eclampsia comes from the Greek word for lightning. It describes the generalised fitting and loss of consciousness that occurrs in severe pre-eclampsia, usually as a result of very high blood pressure and the protein component of your blood leaking out into brain and other tissues through damaged blood vessels. It is potentially dangerous. Although the fits themselves are not commonly fatal, extremely high blood pressure may cause a stroke or heart damage. This condition is mercifully rare but needs emergency treatment if it does occur, usually using intravenous blood pressure drugs and anti-convulsants (ie drugs to prevent fits).

The exact causes of preeclampsia and eclampsia are not known, although some researchers suspect poor nutrition, high body fat, or insufficient blood flow to the uterus as possible causes.
Preeclampsia is most often seen in first-time pregnancies and in pregnant teens and women over 40. Other risk factors include:
A history of high blood pressure prior to pregnancy.
Previous history of preeclampsia.
A history of preeclampsia in mother or sisters.
Obesity prior to pregnancy.
Carrying more than one baby.
History of diabetes, kidney disease, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
SOURCE SITE :http://www.webmd.com/baby/gui de/preeclampsia-eclampsia

Answered by Sanya Tahir , an ibibo Master, at 8:53 PM on September 21, 2008

When the baby in the uterus has breathing problems, the mother is seized with convulsions.Eclampsia is defined as severe BP during pregnancy period.That is called eclampsia. The cause for it is not known. It can cause coma or even death.Various speculations have been done below on how it occurs. It is ridiculous to say that it occurs for women above forty or girls below 20, when nobody so far has been able to pin down the cause for eclampsia.Just that one has to be relaxed and cool during pregnancy and not taking too much stress onto oneself either physcially or emotionally.

Answered by Vida Writer , an ibibo Master, at 5:32 PM on September 21, 2008

well, Eclampsia is the occurrence of seizures during pregnancy, (usually in the last three months).
The cause of eclampsia is not well understood. It is thought to be due to poor development of arteries in the placenta. Causing the heart to pump harder to push blood into the placenta for the baby. Pre-eclampsia is a condition during pregnancy marked by high blood pressure, swelling of the ankles and the presence of protein in the urine. Not everyone with pre-eclampsia develops eclampsia, but those who develop pre-eclampsia should be closely monitored. This is why your doctor checks your blood pressure and asks for a urine sample on each visit during pregnancy.


The following are at risk of eclampsia:

* women having their first pregnancy;
* women in their teens or who are over 40;
* black women;
* women with several children;
* women with a family history of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia;
* women under 155cm tall;
* women who are overweight;
* women who suffer from migraines;
* women with a history of diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease.


* seizures;
* agitation (severe);
* unconsciousness for a variable period of time;

symptoms of pre-eclampsia?

Most women have no symptoms this is why it is especially important to keep your appointments with the GP, midwife and hospital for BP readings and urine testing.

symptoms :

* Swelling of the hands and face. Some swelling of the feet and ankles - is considered normal with pregnancy;
* headache, chest pain and epigastric pain;
* disturbed vision;
* tremor;
* irritability;
* A sudden weight gain over two days;
* Unintentional weight gain of over two pounds per week.


For more: http://www.doctoronline.nhs.uk /masterwebsite1Asp/targetpages /specialts/oandg/eclampsi.asp

Answered by Satya ~ , an ibibo Master, at 9:28 PM on September 20, 2008

Wel rinku,

Eclampsia, a life-threatening complicatio of pregnancy, results when a pregnant woman previously diagnosed with preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine) develops seizures or coma. In some cases, seizures or coma may be the first recognizable sign that a pregnant woman has preeclampsia. Key warning signs of eclampsia in a woman diagnosed with preeclampsia may be severe headaches, blurred or double vision, or seeing spots. Toxemia is a common name used to describe preeclampsia and eclampsia.

There has never been any evidence suggesting an orderly progression of disease beginning with mild preeclampsia progressing to severe preeclampsia and then on to eclampsia. The disease process can begin mild and stay mild, or can be initially diagnosed as eclampsia without prior warning.
Approximately 5-7% of all pregnancies are complicated by preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia usually occurs in a woman's first pregnancy but may occur for the first time in a subsequent pregnancy.
Less than one in 100 women with preeclampsia will develop eclampsia or (convulsions or seizures) or coma.
Up to 20% of all pregnancies are complicated by high blood pressure. Complications resulting from high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and eclampsia may account for up to 20% of all deaths that occur in pregnant women.

Eclampsia Causes

No one knows what exactly causes preeclampsia or eclampsia.
Since we don't know what causes preeclampsia or eclampsia, we don't have any effective tests to predict when preeclampsia or eclampsia will occur, or treatments to prevent preeclampsia or eclampsia from occurring (or recurring).
Preeclampsia usually occurs with first pregnancies. However, preeclampsia may be seen with twins (or multiple pregnancies), in women older than 35 years, in women with high blood pressure before pregnancy, in women with diabetes, and in women with other medical problems (such as connective tissue disease and kidney disease).
For unknown reasons, African American women are more likely to develop eclampsia and preeclampsia than white women.
Preeclampsia may run in families, although the reason for this is unknown.
Preeclampsia is also associated with problems with the placenta, such as too much placenta, too little placenta, or how the placenta attaches to the wall of the uterus. Preeclampsia is also associated with hydatidiform mole pregnancies, in which no normal placenta and no normal baby are present.
There is nothing that any woman can do to prevent preeclampsia or eclampsia from occurring. Therefore, it is both unhealthy and not helpful to assign blame and to review and rehash events that occurred either just prior to pregnancy or during early pregnancy that may have contributed to the development of preeclampsia.

Source : http://www.emedicinehealth.com /eclampsia/page2_em.htm

Answered by Priyanka C , an ibibo Master, at 5:20 PM on September 20, 2008

Eclampsia :

Eclampsia is seizures (convulsions) in a pregnant woman that are not related to brain conditions.

Causes of Eclampsia :

The cause of eclampsia is not well understood. Researchers believe the following may play a role:

• Blood vessels
• Brain and nervous system (neurological) factors
• Diet
• Genes
• However, no theories have yet been proven.

Eclampsia follows preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that includes high blood pressure and excess and rapid weight gain.

It is difficult to predict which women with preeclampsia will go on to have seizures. Women at high risk for seizures have severe preeclampsia and:

• Abnormal blood tests
• Headaches
• Very high blood pressure
• Vision changes

Eclampsia occurs in about 1 out of every 2,000 to 3,000 pregnancies. The following increase a woman's chance for getting preeclampsia:

• Being 35 or older
• Being African American
• First pregnancy
• History of diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney (renal) disease
• Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.)
• Teenage pregnancy

Answered by Yogeshwar , an ibibo Specialist, at 4:48 PM on September 20, 2008

well,Eclampsia is the final and most severe phase of preeclampsia and occurs when preeclampsia is left untreated. In addition to the previously mentioned symptoms, women with eclampsia often have seizures. Eclampsia can cause coma and even death of the mother and baby and can occur before, during or after childbirth.
* No one knows what exactly causes preeclampsia or eclampsia.

* Since we don't know what causes preeclampsia or eclampsia, we don't have any effective tests to predict when preeclampsia or eclampsia will occur, or treatments to prevent preeclampsia or eclampsia from occurring (or recurring).

* Preeclampsia usually occurs with first pregnancies. However, preeclampsia may be seen with twins (or multiple pregnancies), in women older than 35 years, in women with high blood pressure before pregnancy, in women with diabetes, and in women with other medical problems (such as connective tissue disease and kidney disease).

* For unknown reasons, African American women are more likely to develop eclampsia and preeclampsia than white women.

* Preeclampsia may run in families, although the reason for this is unknown.

* Preeclampsia is also associated with problems with the placenta, such as too much placenta, too little placenta, or how the placenta attaches to the wall of the uterus. Preeclampsia is also associated with hydatidiform mole pregnancies, in which no normal placenta and no normal baby are present.

* There is nothing that any woman can do to prevent preeclampsia or eclampsia from occurring. Therefore, it is both unhealthy and not helpful to assign blame and to review and rehash events that occurred either just prior to pregnancy or during early pregnancy that may have contributed to the development of preeclampsia
source:www.emedi cinehealth.com/eclampsia/artic le_em.htm

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 4:45 PM on September 20, 2008