Characterization of symptoms immediately preceding eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the symptoms that immediately precede eclamptic seizures.


METHODS
We did a prospective observational study of all women admitted to a single center in Tanzania between May 1, 2007 and April 30, 2008 who had an eclamptic seizure. During their admission they were asked a uniform set of questions related to symptoms preceding the seizure.


RESULTS
There were 3,267 deliveries and 46 cases of eclampsia (1.4%). Neurologic symptoms (headache [80%] with or without visual disturbance [45%]) were the most common prodrome symptoms, regardless of degree of hypertension or whether the seizure occurred antepartum or postpartum. Twenty percent of women with eclampsia reported no neurologic symptoms before seizure.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurologic symptoms commonly precede eclampsia. A minority of patients with eclampsia (17%) had no prodromal symptoms before their eclamptic seizure. Premonitory symptoms may provide an early warning of imminent eclampsia.
From the Women's and Children's Program Southern Health, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia; and Teule Hospital, Muheza, Tanga Region, Tanzania.
Shamil D
SD
Cooray
Sally M
SM
Edmonds
Stephen
S
Tong
Sumudu P
SP
Samarasekera
Clare L
CL
Whitehead
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult