Eclampsia is a severe, life-threatening manifestation of preeclampsia. While long-term neurologic damage is rare, there is risk of maternal hypoxia and death. Most women will experience signs such as headaches or visual changes prior to a seizure.
Note: Not all women will demonstrate classic features of preeclampsia (hypertension, proteinuria)
Note: Magnesium sulfate should not be considered an antihypertensive agent
Delivery and Postpartum
ACOG Practice Bulletin 222: Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia
Management of pre-eclampsia: issues for anaesthetists
Acute pulmonary oedema in pregnant women
Cochrane Review: Magnesium sulphate and other anticonvulsants for women with pre-eclampsia
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific hypertensive disease with multi-system involvement. It usually occurs after 20 weeks of gestation and can be superimposed on another hypertensive disorder. While preeclampsia was historically defined by the new onset of hypertension in combination with proteinuria, some women will present with hypertension and multisystemic signs in the absence of proteinuria. The presence of multisystemic signs is an indication of disease severity.
Blood Pressure Criteria
Note: Gestational Hypertension
Women with gestational hypertension with severe range blood pressures (a systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher, or diastolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg or higher) should be diagnosed with preeclampsia with severe features.
Proteinuria Criteria
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia with severe features
Note: The following are not diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of preeclampsia or preeclampsia with severe features
ACOG Practice Bulletin 222: Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia
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