2021, Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part C

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy affect about 10% of all pregnant women around the world. Eclampsia is an important predictor of organ dysfunctions and mortality. This study looks into the pulmonary and cardiovascular complications occurring in eclampsia.

Methods: The prospective observational study included 90 cases admitted to the labor room with a diagnosis of eclampsia (antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum eclampsia). In all patients, single dose MgSO4 regimen was used. Obstetric management and termination of pregnancy was done accordingly. All maternal complications and puerperal complications and associated morbidity and mortality were recorded and analyzed.

Results: Incidence of eclampsia was 0.05%. 66.7% were primigravidae. The mean gestational age of presentation was 34 weeks. Among the eclampsia cases (n=90), 85.6% patients presented in the antenatal period. Intrapartum and postpartum presentations were 2.2% and 6.7%. Pulmonary complications accounted 13.3% and 6.6% had cardiovascular complications (out of which 3.3% had postpartum cardiomyopathy and 1.1% had cardiac arrhythmia). Maternal mortality reported was 0.05% in our study.

Conclusion: Pulmonary and cardiovascular complications of eclampsia were common among the rural and low socio-economic group of women in this study. There is a need to educate the women regarding the need for regular antenatal check-ups.