Eclampsia

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Original Author(s): lthompson

Last updated: 4th March 2023
Revisions: 47

Eclampsia is defined as the occurrence of one or more convulsions in a pre-eclamptic woman in the absence of any other neurological or metabolic
causes.

It is an obstetric emergency a ecting approximately 5/10,000 pregnancies, with a maternal mortality rate of 1.8% and a fetal mortality rate of up to 30%.

The majority of seizures occur in the post-natal period (44%), but they can also occur in the antepartum (38%) or intrapartum (18%) settings.

In this article, we shall examine the risk factors, clinical presentation, complications and management of eclampsia.

Risk Factors
All patients with pre-eclampsia are at risk of developing eclampsia. The risk factors for pre-eclampsia are listed in Table 1.

Table 1 – Risk Factors for Pre-Eclampsia (NICE, Hypertension in Pregnancy)

Moderate Risk Factors High Risk Factors

Nuliparity. Chronic hypertension

Maternal age ≥ 40 years. HTN, pre-eclampsia or eclampsia in previous
pregnancy.
Maternal BMI ≥ 35 at initial presentation.
Pre-existing chronic kidney disease
Family history of pre-eclampsia.
Diabetes Mellitus.
Pregnancy interval > 10 years.
Autoimmune diseases (e.g. SLE, antiphospholipid
Multiple pregnancy. syndrome)

Clinical Features
The hallmark feature of eclampsia is a new onset tonic-clonic type seizure, in the presence of pre-eclampsia (new onset hypertension and proteinuria
after 20 weeks’ gestation).

The seizures typically last around 60 to 75 seconds, followed by a variable lasting post-ictal phase. Maternal convulsions may cause fetal
distress and bradycardia.

Aside from the presence of seizures, the clinical presentation is much the same as that of pre-eclampsia, and often includes signs and symptoms relating
to end-organ dysfunction:

Headache (usually frontal).

Hyper-reflexia.

Nausea and vomiting.

Generalised oedema.

Right upper quadrant pain +/- jaundice.

Visual disturbances e.g. flashing lights, blurred or double vision.

Change in mental stage.

 © Adapted from work by Community Eye Health [CC BY-NC 2.0], via Flickr

Fig 1 – Features of eclampsia. A) Peripheral oedema in the ankle region, indicated the persisting indentation of the fingers. B) Papilloedema, observed via fundoscopy.

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Complications
Eclampsia is usually a multi-system disorder and is associated with a number of serious maternal and fetal complications.

Table 2 – Complications of Eclampsia

Maternal Complications Fetal Complications

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

HELLP syndrome (3 %) Prematurity.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC) (3 %)
Infant respiratory distress syndrome.
Acute Kidney Injury (4 %)
Intrauterine fetal death.
Adult respiratory distress syndrome (3 %)
Placental abruption.
Cerebrovascular haemorrhage (< 2 %)

Permanent CNS damage.

Death (1.8 %)

Di erential Diagnosis
In the assessment of any seizure during pregnancy, it is important to di erentiate between eclamptic seizures, and those caused by other medical
disorders.

Patients with eclampsia generally have features of severe pre-eclampsia prior to, and accompanying, any convulsions – which aids in diagnosis.

Other causes for seizures during pregnancy are listed in Table 3.

Table 3 – Di erential Diagnosis for Seizures

Hypoglycaemia. Medication-induced.

Pre-existing epilepsy. Brain tumour.

Head trauma. Cerebral aneurysm.

Haemorrhagic stroke. Septic shock.

Meningitis. Ischaemic stroke.

Investigations
Investigations in suspected eclampsia are used to exclude other reversible causes (such as hypoglycaemia), and assess for any complications (such as
DIC or HELLP syndrome).

Investigations to be considered:

FBC: ↓ Hb, ↓ platelets.

U&Es: ↑ urea, ↑ creatinine, ↑ urate, ↓ urine output.

LFTs: ↑ ALT, ↑ AST, ↑ bilirubin.

Clotting studies

Blood glucose

Abdominal ultrasound may be performed to estimate the gestational age and to rule out placental abruption which can complicate eclampsia. CTG
monitoring is likely to indicate evidence of fetal distress and bradycardia.

It may be necessary to rule out other causes of seizures if there is any doubt regarding the diagnosis of eclampsia. For instance, if there is a history of
head trauma or seizure onset in the 1st trimester, this is more likely to be associated with CNS pathology and requires a full neurological work-
up including CT/ MRI head.

© By Dr Clair Todd [CC BY-NC 3.0], via Anaesthesia Tutorial of the Week

Fig 2 – Cardiotocogram indicating fetal distress. Bradycardia is observed in the bracketed segment (B).

Management
There are 5 main principles to address in the management of eclampsia, each of which are discussed in turn below.

1. Resuscitation
ABCDE assessment and intervention as appropriate.

Patient should lie in the left lateral position, with secured airway and oxygen therapy.

2. Cessation of Seizures
Eclamptic seizures are treated with magnesium sulphate (Table 4). The patient should be assessed for signs of hypermagnesaemia (hypo-reflexia,
respiratory depression), and the fetus monitored via continuous CTG.

Table 4 – Management of Eclamptic Seizures with Magnesium Sulphate

Prophylaxis 4 g in 100 ml0.9 % NaCl.

1st seizure 4 g in 100 ml 0.9 % NaCl.

Maintenance 1 g hourly for 24 hours.

Recurrent seizures 2 g bolus.

Note: Magnesium sulphate should be continued for 24 h after delivery/ last seizure, whichever is later.
3. Blood Pressure Control
The two most commonly used intravenous anti-hypertensives are labetalol and hydralazine. A target mean arterial pressure (MAP) of <120mmHg is
used.

A rapid decrease in maternal blood pressure can cause fetal heart rate abnormalities. Therefore, continuous CTG monitoring is used during and for 30
minutes after giving IV anti-hypertensives.

4. Prompt Delivery of Baby and Placenta

The only definitive treatment of eclampsia is delivery of the fetus. However, the mother must be stable before delivery – with any seizures controlled,
severe hypertension treated and hypoxia corrected. This is the case regardless of any fetal compromise.

Caesarean section is the ideal mode of delivery. However, intrapartum seizures in established labour may be managed by vaginal delivery.

After delivery, the patient will require HDU care until she is stable – well controlled blood pressure, adequate urine output, and discontinuation of MgSO4.
This usually takes a minimum of 24 hours.

5. Monitoring
Fluid balance monitoring is important to prevent pulmonary oedema and detect acute kidney injury.

Indicators of complications of eclampsia should also be monitored – such as platelets, transaminases and creatinine levels.

Post-Natal Care and Follow-Up

The management of eclampsia in the post-natal period can be divided into inpatient and outpatient care:

Inpatient care:
Regular symptom review – e.g headaches, epigastric pain.

Bloods 72 hrs post-partum – FBC, LFTs, creatinine.

Pre-conceptual counselling – advice regarding minimising risk factors and prophylaxis for future pregnancies.

Step-down care to community – when reached target BP and asymptomatic

Outpatient care:
Consider CT Head – if persistent neurological deficit.

Measure BP – in the UK, blood pressure is checked daily for 2 weeks post-partum.

Follow-up at 6 weeks – check BP, proteinuria and creatinine. Repeat FBC, LFTs and creatinine if not previously returned to normal

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Summary
Eclampsia is a complication of severe pre-eclampsia and is an obstetric emergency.

It is defined as one or more new onset tonic-clonic seizures in the presence of pre-eclampsia.

The majority of seizures occur within 4 days’ post-partum.

Investigations are to exclude other diagnosis and assess for complications e.g. DIC, HELLP syndrome, fetal distress. Neurological imaging is not
routine.

Delivery of baby only when mother stabilised, regardless of fetal compromise.

Postpartum monitoring and post-natal follow-up are important.