Changing Trends in the Clinical Features of Eclampsia

The clinical presentation and management of 32 eclamptic patients delivered during a 6-year period from January 1976 to December 1981 in Tsan Yuk Hospital, Hong Kong were analysed. The incidence of eclampsia was 0.1%. High risk factors for eclampsia including primigravida, teenage pregnancy, low social economic status and antenatal anaemia were identified. With improvement in antenatal care, the incidence of antepartum and intrapartum eclampsia had decreased. 62% of the patients had postpartum fit. Continuous vigilance in the postpartum period may help to further reduce the incidence of eclampsia. The perinatal mortality was 3%. There was no maternal mortality.