Eclampsia is a severe condition that can occur during pregnancy, usually after the 20th week or during the first 48 hours after childbirth. A progression of the disease preeclampsia, eclampsia causes high blood pressure and can lead to seizures that are potentially serious for both the mother and the baby. Before these seizures occur, a woman with eclampsia might experience symptoms like severe headaches, tenderness in the upper abdomen, blurred vision, sudden weight gain, and extensive swelling in the hands, legs, and face. The exact cause of eclampsia is not known, but it is strongly connected with high blood pressure during pregnancy. Eclampsia affects the nervous system, circulatory system, and the liver, and without proper medical management, it might lead to complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, placental abruption, and in severe cases, maternal and fetal death.
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