Eclampsia: a continuing problem in developing countries

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether improvement in antenatal services over the years 1980-1990 led to a decline in the incidence of eclampsia in a third world setting. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all eclamptic patients seen during the years 1980 and 1990 at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa. RESULTS: The incidence of eclampsia in 1980 was 2.8/1000 deliveries and 6/1000 deliveries in 1990. There was a slight decline in maternal mortality from 12% in 1980 to 9% in 1990. CONCLUSIONS: Eclampsia remains a continuing problem in developing countries despite improvements in antenatal care and facilities. In this retrospective analysis, a decline in maternal mortality has been demonstrated in spite of an increase in the prevalence of eclampsia.