What characterizes eclampsia?

Eclampsia is characterized specifically as severe pre-eclampsia accompanied by the onset of seizures. This condition occurs in pregnant women and is a serious complication that can develop from pre-eclampsia, which itself is defined by high blood pressure and often includes protein in the urine in addition to other symptoms. The seizures signify a significant progression of the disease and can pose serious risks to both the mother and the fetus, making timely diagnosis and management critical.

While fluid retention and hypertension are features of pre-eclampsia and may relate to the broader context of pregnancy-related conditions, they do not capture the defining aspect of eclampsia, which is the emergence of seizures. Similarly, diabetes and hypertension are not defining characteristics of eclampsia; they may be conditions that can affect pregnant women, but they do not pertain directly to eclampsia itself. Nausea and vomiting are more commonly associated with earlier stages of pregnancy and can occur in various pregnancy conditions, but they do not specifically indicate eclampsia. Thus, the distinguishing factor of eclampsia is indeed the presence of seizures following a background of severe pre-eclampsia.