Postpartum eclampsia without pre-eclamptic prodroma - Case report and literature review

ABSTRACT

Late postparturn eclampsia without prior pre-eclampsia is known to occur more than 48 hours up to 28 days postpartum. Common preceding symptoms are headache and visual disturbance. Diagnosis is by findings of hypertension, proteinuria, oedema, hyperreflexia +/- hyperuricemia. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain reveals characteristic posterior leukoencephalopathy. Magnesium sulphate is the mainstay of therapy. Three such cases of this rare clinical entity occurring consecutively in a six month period at our hospital are reported. Prolonged postpartum vigilance for blood pressure and neurological symptoms allows timely management and reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality