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eclampsia

American  
[ih-klamp-see-uh] / ɪˈklæmp si ə /

noun

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


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)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


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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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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The initiative, “Obstetric Emergencies in Nonobstetric Settings,” offers resources for emergency departments on caring for pregnant patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension and eclampsia.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

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

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 ● Mar. 18, 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

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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