Follow-up interviews after eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of persisting symptoms 6 months or more after eclampsia.


METHODS
During a 2-year period (mid-1998 to mid-2000), 210 patients with eclampsia were included in a prospective cohort study of eclampsia in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. One hundred and twenty-three women (59%) were followed up with a structured telephone interview, 6-24 months (median 11) after their eclamptic fit.


RESULTS
At the time of follow-up, 63 women (51%) had at least one persistent symptom; 2 patients had severe neurological sequels (hemiparesis and dysarthria), 11% had visual disturbances, 22% had problems concentrating or recalling phone numbers and messages, 18% reported frequent headaches and 10% had vertigo or balance problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Although few women suffered from severe sequels, many women had persisting symptoms following eclampsia indicating a need for follow-up of these patients. A case-control study comparing the health and symptoms between women having suffered from eclampsia and women without this complication may therefore be justified.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Gjøvik, Norway. aba@sykehuset-innlandet.no
Alice Beathe
AB
Andersgaard
Andreas
A
Herbst
Marianne
M
Johansen
Anna
A
Borgström
Anna Gry
AG
Bille
Pål
P
Øian
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult