ECLAMPSIA

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does eclampsia mean? 

• ECLAMPSIA (noun)
  The noun ECLAMPSIA has 1 sense:

1. a toxic condition characterized by convulsions and possibly coma during or immediately after pregnancy

  Familiarity information: ECLAMPSIA used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ECLAMPSIA (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A toxic condition characterized by convulsions and possibly coma during or immediately after pregnancy

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("eclampsia" is a kind of...):

toxaemia; toxaemia of pregnancy; toxemia; toxemia of pregnancy (an abnormal condition of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and edema and protein in the urine)

 Context examples 

Preeclampsia also increases the risk for eclampsia—life-threatening seizures for the mother.

(Elevated blood pressure in first trimester increases risk for blood pressure disorder later in pregnancy, National Institutes of Health)

A drug used to treat pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (serious complications of pregnancy).

(Magnesium sulfate, NCI Dictionary)

A small colorless crystal used as an anticonvulsant, a cathartic, and an electrolyte replenisher in the treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.

(Magnesium sulfate, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

The researchers also found that the form of spermine which was higher in mothers pregnant with a girl was also predictive of the risk of pregnancy complications: high levels were associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia (where the mother develops high blood pressure and kidney disease), whereas low levels were associated with an increased risk of poor fetal growth.

(Baby’s sex affects mother’s metabolism and may influence risk of pregnancy-related complications, University of Cambridge)

Pregnant women may experience four types of hypertensive disorders: Gestational hypertension, or high blood pressure, in the second half of pregnancy. Preeclampsia, or high blood pressure with protein in urine or impaired liver or kidney function, in the second half of pregnancy. If preeclampsia worsens and causes seizures, it becomes eclampsia – a serious condition for mother and child with the potential to be fatal. Chronic hypertension, or high blood pressure before pregnancy or early in pregnancy, that continues throughout pregnancy.

(Pregnancy hypertension risk increased by traffic-related air pollution, National Institutes of Health)

The findings help to explain, for example, why male babies in the womb may be more vulnerable to the effects of poor growth, and why being pregnant with a girl may lead to an increased risk of severe pre-eclampsia for the mother.

(Baby’s sex affects mother’s metabolism and may influence risk of pregnancy-related complications, University of Cambridge)