Term: Eclampsia

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2012-11-05

Definition:

"A major complication of pregnancy. Its cause is unknown; it occurs more often in the primigravida and is accompanied by elevated blood pressure, albuminuria, oliguria, tonic and clonic convulsions and coma. It may occur during pregnancy (usually after the 20th week of gestation) or within 48 hours of childbirth." (Olds SB et al., 2004).

Eclampsia is identified by ICD-10-CA code O15.

Related terms 

• Albuminuria
• Gestation
• Preeclampsia
• Primigravida
• Severe Maternal Morbidity

References 

• Olds SB, London ML, Wieland PA, Davidson MR. Maternal-Newborn Nursing and Women's Health Care. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc. 2004.(View)

Term used in 

• Heaman M, Kingston D, Helewa M, Brownell M, Derksen S, Bogdanovic B, McGowan K, Bailly A. Perinatal Services and Outcomes in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] (View)