The diagnosis of eclampsia is best described as

The diagnosis of eclampsia is best described as

• A. Chronic hypertension
• B. Ovarian torsion
• C. Preeclampsia + seizures or coma; abrupt tonic-clonic seizures 1-2 min --> postictal. Hyperreflexia
• D. Gestational diabetes

Answer: (C)

Eclampsia is preeclampsia that has progressed to include seizures. Preeclampsia entails new hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation, often with proteinuria or signs of end-organ dysfunction. When seizures occur—typically generalized tonic-clonic episodes lasting about 1–2 minutes followed by a postictal state—the condition is labeled eclampsia. Hyperreflexia is a common finding in these patients due to CNS irritability from severe preeclampsia. So the best description is preeclampsia complicated by seizures. The other options describe conditions not linked to the seizure component of this pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder: chronic hypertension is preexisting high blood pressure, ovarian torsion is an acute pelvic emergency, and gestational diabetes is glucose intolerance without seizures.

Eclampsia is preeclampsia that has progressed to include seizures. Preeclampsia entails new hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation, often with proteinuria or signs of end-organ dysfunction. When seizures occur—typically generalized tonic-clonic episodes lasting about 1–2 minutes followed by a postictal state—the condition is labeled eclampsia. Hyperreflexia is a common finding in these patients due to CNS irritability from severe preeclampsia. So the best description is preeclampsia complicated by seizures. The other options describe conditions not linked to the seizure component of this pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder: chronic hypertension is preexisting high blood pressure, ovarian torsion is an acute pelvic emergency, and gestational diabetes is glucose intolerance without seizures.