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How does the eclampsia crisis manifest itself?
The eclampsia crisis results in crises convulsives followed by a coma. The crisis is often announced by warning signs: the mother complains of intense right abdominal pain, dizziness, headaches, or eye and hearing disorders (flying flies in front of the eyes or ringing in the ears ).
How does the eclampsia attack affect mom and baby?
The eclampsia attack is serious because it is responsible for 2% of maternal deaths in France. Fortunately, in the majority of cases, the treatment is successful and there are no sequelae. Even so, 5-10% of women can have long-term complications (kidney, heart or brain). Poorly controlled, eclampsia can also put the baby’s life in danger, or even lead to his death (12% of fetal deaths are the consequence). Babies of toxicemic mothers are more fragile and often have stunted growth and a higher rate of prematurity.
How do you manage an eclampsia attack?
The eclampsia crisis is a obstetric and medical emergency. The treatment aims first to stop the convulsions, then to oxygenate the mother well. Then, it is essential to fight the hypertension and to leave the baby, generally by cesarean section. With the crisis over, vigilance is required. A rigorous follow-up of the mother, in general of a few days in intensive care, is recommended.
Eclampsia crisis: some expectant mothers more at risk than others?
This complication affects women of all ages, however, its frequency increases in those under 20 who are pregnant for the first time. It has also been noted that women over 40 with severe toxaemia of pregnancy are at greater risk than those aged 20. Other predisposing factors are high blood pressure, pre-existing kidney disease or diabetes, and a family history of toxemia of pregnancy and eclampsia.
Eclampsia crisis: preventive measures for the following pregnancies?
Moms who have a history of preeclampsia, especially if it was complicated by an eclampsia attack, benefit from increased surveillance during a future pregnancy. This is then considered to be a risky pregnancy. The baby’s growth is checked by regular ultrasound checks, and fetal well-being is assessed by regular uterine dopplers. This test measures the resistance of blood vessels in the placenta. The mother’s blood pressure and her urine for protein are checked frequently. Finally, preventive treatment with aspirin is instituted during pregnancy (from 10 to 34 weeks). In addition to these measures, a regular pregnancy monitoring in all pregnant women makes it possible to detect mothers at risk of toxemia and to intervene before the situation becomes serious.
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