Researchers from University of Cincinnati, Medical Department describe findings in eclampsia.

"Preeclampsia, eclampsia, and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome are major obstetric disorders that are associated with substantial maternal and perinatal morbidities. As a result, it is important that clinicians make timely and accurate diagnoses to prevent adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with these syndromes," investigators in the United States report (see also Eclampsia).

"In general, most women will have a classic presentation of preeclampsia (hypertension and proteinuria) at > 20 weeks of gestation and/or > 48 hours after delivery. However, recent studies have suggested that some women will experience preeclampsia without >= 1 of these classic findings and/or outside of these time periods. Atypical cases are those that develop at <20 weeks of gestation and> 48 hours after delivery and that have some of the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia without the usual hypertension or proteinuria. The purpose of this review was to increase awareness of the nonclassic and atypical features of preeclampsia-eclampsia," wrote B.M. Sibai and colleagues, University of Cincinnati, Medical Department.

The researchers concluded: "In addition, a stepwise approach ...