[Eclampsia]

Abstract

Eclampsia, the major neurological complication of preeclampsia, is defined as a convulsive episode, or any other sign of an altered consciousness, arising in a setting of preeclampsia, and which cannot be attributed to any other preexisting neurological condition. Convulsive episodes have been described up to 15 days post-partum. Visual disturbances (cortical blindness) are common and must be considered as the equivalent of a convulsive crisis. In case of doubt, the gold standard investigation is the performing of a diffusion weighted MRI. The management of women suffering a convulsive episode is the same as in any other generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Magnesium sulfate as a loading dose followed by a continuous infusion is the most effective way for preventing a relapse associated with blood-pressure normalization. Magnesium sulfate infusion must be maintained for 24 hours following the last convulsive episode.