PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS, MATERNAL AND PERINATAL OUTCOME IN ECLAMPSIA- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Abstract

Background: Eclampsia is defined as the occurrence of one or more convulsions in association with a syndrome of preeclampsia. Eclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. It is also a serious concern in the developing world.

Objective: In our study we have analyzed the eclampsia cases and evaluated the maternal and perinatal outcome.

Materials and methods: The study was undertaken from March 2019 to February 2020 at a tertiary care hospital in central India. Patients presenting with eclampsia and its complications after 24 weeks of gestation were recruited in the study. Complete obstetrical investigations with maternal and perinatal outcome were documented.

Results: The period prevalence of eclampsia at our centre was 1.2%, accounting for 150 cases during the study period. Most of the 141 cases (94%) were referred to our centre from first and second referral units spread across many small districts around our centre. An average age of presentation was 23.9 ± 3.98 years and nearly three-fourth of the cases were primigravida. Nearly 56 cases (37.3%) had medical complications and 62 cases (41%) had obstetrical complications due to eclampsia. Maternal mortality at our centre for eclampsia patients was 10 percent (15 cases).

Conclusion: The importance of adequate antenatal care and early detection of pre-eclampsia syndrome can reduce the frequency of this morbid condition in pregnancy. Timely referral of these women by the healthcare providers in the peripheral centres can help them in seeking the optimum management.

Keywords: Eclampsia; Preeclampsia; Maternal mortality; Perinatal loss; Magnesium sulphate