Cause of associated mortality in eclampsia
What is the cause of associated mortality in eclampsia?
If present, eclampsia results in a maternal mortality of up to 14%, with associated fetal mortality of up to 28%.
Maternal death from eclampsia is caused by complications of sustained intracranial and systemic hypertension.
Death can be due to intracerebral hemorrhage, vasospasm, pulmonary edema, DIC, abruptio placentae, the HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count), or renal or hepatic failure from decreased organ perfusion.
Systolic hypertension is the largest predictor of intracerebral hemorrhage and stroke with blood pressure reduction being associated with decreased maternal morbidity and mortality.
Fetal mortality results from decreased uteroplacental perfusion.