The key difference between eclampsia and preeclampsia is that eclampsia is a condition that results in the development of convulsive seizures or coma without other causes, typically occurring after the 20th week of pregnancy, while preeclampsia is a condition that results in the development of high blood pressure, swelling or high levels of albumin in the urine.
There are different health problems that can develop during pregnancy and can be managed by regular visits to prenatal care. These conditions include iron deficiency anemia, gestational diabetes, depression and anxiety, fetal problems, infections, hyperemesis gravidarum, placenta previa, placental abruption, eclampsia, preeclampsia, and preterm labor. Therefore, eclampsia and preeclampsia are two pregnancy-related conditions. Both these conditions can happen at the same time.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Eclampsia
3. What is Preeclampsia
4. Similarities – Eclampsia and Preeclampsia
5. Eclampsia vs. Preeclampsia in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Eclampsia and Preeclampsia
7. Summary – Eclampsia vs. Preeclampsia
What is Eclampsia?
Eclampsia is a condition that results in seizures in pregnant people with preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a condition in which a pregnant woman has high blood pressure and protein in her urine. Eclampsia typically develops from preeclampsia, which can result in swelling in the brain. The risk factors for this condition are genetics and diet. Moreover, the symptoms may include severe headache, difficulty breathing, nausea or vomiting, trouble urinating, abdominal pain, blurred vision, swelling of the hands, face and ankles, seizures, severe distress, or confusion and loss of consciousness.
Eclampsia can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood tests, urine tests, and creatine tests. Furthermore, treatment options for eclampsia may include inducing labor, anticonvulsant medications, blood pressure medications, and corticosteroids.
What is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy, with hypertension and high levels of proteins in the urine. Preeclampsia is believed to be caused by a problem with the health of the placenta. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include headaches, blurry vision or light sensitivity, dark spots appearing in the vision, right-side abdominal pain, swelling in the hands and face, weight gain, shortness of breath, hypertension, decreased kidney or liver function, fluid in the lungs, low platelet levels, proteinuria, and decreased urine production. The risk factors for preeclampsia include a history of high blood pressure, expecting multiples, family history, autoimmune conditions like lupus, and obesity.
Preeclampsia can be diagnosed through family history, physical examination, blood tests, urine tests, fetal ultrasound, and nonstress tests or biophysical profiles. Furthermore, treatment options for preeclampsia may include delivering the baby or managing the condition until the best time to deliver the baby, antihypertensive drugs to lower blood pressure, anticonvulsant medication, such as magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures, and corticosteroids to promote the development of the baby’s lungs before delivery.
What are the Similarities Between Eclampsia and Preeclampsia?
- Eclampsia and preeclampsia are two pregnancy-related conditions.
- Both these conditions can happen same time.
- Both these conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood tests, and urine tests.
- They can be treated through induced labor, blood pressure medications, and corticosteroids.
What is the Difference Between Eclampsia and Preeclampsia?
Eclampsia is a condition that results in the development of convulsive seizures or coma without other causes, typically occurring after the 20th week of pregnancy, while preeclampsia is a condition that results in the development of high blood pressure, swelling, or high levels of albumin in the urine, typically occurring after the 20th week of pregnancy. Thus, this is the key difference between eclampsia and preeclampsia. Furthermore, eclampsia is comparatively a more severe condition than preeclampsia.
The infographic below presents the differences between eclampsia and preeclampsia in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Eclampsia and Preeclampsia
What is the most serious form of preeclampsia called?
The most serious form of preeclampsia is called HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets).
What protein level is preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia involves elevated protein levels, specifically proteinuria. Patients with gestational hypertension exhibit protein levels below 300 mg, while those with mild preeclampsia range from 300 mg to 2000 mg, and individuals with severe preeclampsia have protein levels exceeding 2000 mg in their 24-hour urine samples.
What are the most common complications of preeclampsia?
The most common complications of preeclampsia include preterm delivery, intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and HELLP syndrome, which poses a high risk of liver rupture and eclampsia.
Summary – Eclampsia vs. Preeclampsia
Certain medical conditions may result in complications in a pregnancy. These diseases may include gestational diabetes, eclampsia, preeclampsia, and infectious diseases. Therefore, eclampsia and preeclampsia are two pregnancy-related conditions. Both these conditions can happen same time. Eclampsia is a condition that results in the development of convulsive seizures or coma without other causes, occurring after the 20th week of pregnancy, while preeclampsia is a condition that results in the development of high blood pressure, swelling or high levels of albumin in the urine, occurring after the 20th week of pregnancy. So, this summarizes the difference between eclampsia and preeclampsia.
Reference:
1. “Preeclampsia.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. Macon, Brindles Lee. “Eclampsia: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis.” Healthline, Healthline Media.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Placenta” By Gray38.png: User Magnus Manske on en.wikipediaderivative work: Amada44 talk to me – Gray38.png (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Pregnant Woman Wearing Beige Long Sleeve Shirt Standing Near Brown Tree at Daytime” (CC0) via Pexels