eclampsia

American  

[ih-klamp-see-uh] / ɪˈklæmp si ə /

noun

Pathology.

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

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eclampsia British  

/ 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)

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Other Word Forms

• eclamptic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of eclampsia

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

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Compare meaning

How does eclampsia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• preeclampsia vs. eclampsia

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

eclampsia

He specializes in treating high-risk pregnancies, from cases of eclampsia, hypertension, or gestational diabetes to patients with multiple fetuses.

From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2026

Research has shown that young teens have a greater risk of developing postpartum blood loss and eclampsia, a condition marked by seizures and high blood pressure.

From Salon ● Feb. 12, 2024

The rates of HDP, which include preeclampsia, eclampsia, and gestational hypertension, more than doubled between 2007-2019 in the U.S., with Hispanic/Latina women having the highest rate of over 60 cases per 1000 live births.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 4, 2023

More was made of what the coroner listed as complications related to childbirth: among them, eclampsia, which results in seizures that can lead to coma and stems from high blood pressure during pregnancy.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 17, 2023

Some authorities maintain that "twilight sleep" is of value even in threatened eclampsia, although they admit it tends to produce a rise in blood-pressure.

From The Mother and Her Child by William S. Sadler

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