eclampsia

[ ih-klamp-see-uh ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a form of toxemia of pregnancy, characterized by albuminuria, hypertension, and convulsions.

eclampsia

/ ɪˈklæmpsɪə /

noun

1. pathol a toxic condition of unknown cause that sometimes develops in the last three months of pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure, abnormal weight gain and convulsions Compare pre-eclampsia
2. another name for milk fever (in cattle)

Derived Forms

• ecˈlamptic, adjective

Other Words From

• ec·lamptic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eclampsia¹

1855–60; < New Latin < Greek éklamps ( is ) sudden development ( ek- ec- + lámp ( ein ) to shine + -sis -sis + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of eclampsia¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek eklampsis a shining forth, from eklampein, from lampein to shine

Example Sentences

Jennifer Adkins was pregnant with her second child when she was told that the child had multiple, likely fatal conditions—and that if that pregnancy continued, she was at high risk of suffering mirror syndrome, which could lead to life-threatening edema and eclampsia.

From Slate

Among the hypertensive disorders that cause dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy -- chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia without severe features, preeclampsia with severe features, superimposed preeclampsia and eclampsia -- all but gestational diabetes were associated with a doubling in the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease compared to women with normal blood pressure.

From Science Daily

Eclampsia, a condition whereby hypertensive disorders cause seizures, was associated with a nearly 58-fold increase in fatal cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology.

From Science Daily

For instance, no one disputes that a death from eclampsia, a dangerous condition provoked by pregnancy, qualifies as a maternal death and is properly included when calculating the mortality rate.

From Science Magazine

If the death certificate lists a pregnancy-related cause such as eclampsia or bleeding, it is counted as a maternal death.

From Science Magazine