Clinical presentation of eclampsia in a Maternity Hospital, Kuwait

Objectives: To identify the clinical features of eclampsia at the time of t he fit and to study the effects of eclampsia on neonatal outcome. Methods: A retrospective study of 101 patients with eclampsia in Al-Sabah M aternity Hospital of Kuwait between 1981 and 1993 was undertaken. Results: Seventy one percent of the mothers presented with antepartum eclam psia. Adverse perinatal outcome was associated with low gestation age, birt h weight below 2500g and when the antepartum fit occurred >5 hours before d elivery. The perinatal outcome was also adversely affected by fetal gender (male) and proteinuria of 2(+) or more. Conclusion: Early onset of pre eclamptic toxemia and eclampsia leading to e arly intervention are a major determinant to perinatal outcome and prematur ity. Prompt timing of the delivery in cases of antepartum fit could help im prove the neonatal outcome considerably. It seems that pre eclamptic toxemi a is the major risk factor for eclampsia when compared with pregnancy induc ed hypertension. However, treating all cases of pre-eclampsia toxemia invol ves giving prophylaxis for more than 5% of all mothers per year. Therefore, one needs to study the details of cases of pre eclamptic toxemia and eclam psia to detect the additive factors. This would help to delineate guideline s and identify patients who need prophylaxis and the appropriate time for i ntervention.