Abstract
Introduction: The spectrum of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy includes gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia syndrome, chronic hypertension and pre-eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension. This study was aimed to describe the maternal and fetal outcomes in eclampsia in women admitted at out centre.
Methodology: All women who were admitted with eclampsia or developed eclampsia during stay at our hospital from May 2017 till February 2018 were included in the study. All babies born to these women were also included in the study. Baseline characteristics of the mother and babies were obtained and in the follow up period, maternal complications and fetal outcomes were noted.
Results: During the study period 88 mothers were included in the study. The most common age group was 26 to 30 years and more than half of all mothers were multipara. Most common gestational age at the time of presentation to the hospital was 29 to 32 weeks. Mean duration between pregnancy induced hypertension and eclampsia was 11.4 weeks. No complications were noted among 66% of the mothers, while 17% had HELLP syndrome, 16% had acute renal failure and 13% had pulmonary edema. Among total of 90 fetuses, APGAR score of 4 to 6 was noted in 29% and 0 to 3 in 12% of the foetuses. Furthermore, low birth weight was observed in 31% of the babies and 21% were preterm. There were seven neonatal deaths and four were stillbirths.
Conclusions: Early detection and effective management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy can reduce the incidence of eclampsia. Further studies are required to understand the factors associated with poor maternal and fetal outcomes in eclampsia and ways to prevent them.
Keywords: eclampsia; fetal outcome; maternal outcome; pre-eclampsia.
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Corresponding Author
Dr Smita Bhat, Associate Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University Medical College and Hospital, Sangli-Miraj Road, Sangli (416414) Maharashtra, India
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i7.174
