Abstract

Eclampsia is defined as the onset of seizure during pregnancy or postpartum in patients of preeclampsia with gestational age >20 weeks. The term eclampsia is derived from a Greek word meaning “lightening” or “flash of light” probably translating to its sudden and unpredictable inception. Eclampsia is life threatening complication of pregnancy. Preeclampsia (PE) and eclampsia are the second leading cause of maternal mortality claiming 46,900 deaths worldwide.
Materials and methods: This are a retrospective study done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya. Approval taken from the Institute scientific committee. Relevant data were retrieved from the maternity register for the period of two years. Out of total 14586 pregnant women coming to obstetrics department for delivery during the study period, 70 women were diagnosed as eclampsia. Sociodemographic and clinical profile of all women diagnosed as eclampsia were noted down. Maternal complications and maternal outcome along with fetal outcome were observed, tabulated, analysed and presented.
 
Result: Eclampsia is most prevalent at the age between 19-24 years. In our study eclampsia was commonly seen in primigravida. Most of them were unbooked and referred from periphery. Among booked cases one had intrapartum eclampsia with normal blood pressure. Second a case of pre eclampsia refused admission to the hospital reported with convulsion after 13 days. Third had post partum eclampsia. Fourth one suffered convulsions at 26 weeks (Blood pressure was normal at 20 weeks.). Majority of patients were having diastolic Bp >110 mm hg
Conclusion: Incidence of eclampsia is little lower compare to other states in India. But we are far behind to developed countries. Eclampsia is a disease of young females, more common in primigravida with mild to moderate hypertension. It can occur with normal B.P without proteinuria in a small portion of our study. Most of the patient had irregular/ No antenatal checkups. Eclampsia can be prevented by in large by proper antenatal care and detection of pre eclampsia with early management.