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Eclampsia in Finland in 1990-1994
E Ekholm1, M M Salmi, R Erkkola
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Turku, Finland.
Background:
Eclampsia is a serious threat to both maternal and fetal well-being. We started the present study because no recent data are available on the incidence of eclampsia and the outcome of patients with this serious disorder in Finland.
Methods:
The incidence of eclampsia in Finland in 1990-1994 was studied retrospectively. The data were retrieved from the National Birth Register and the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register. Patient records were reviewed.
Results:
Seventy-seven cases of eclampsia were found in the hospital records, which gave an eclampsia incidence of 2.4 per 10,000 deliveries (95% confidence intervals 1.9 to 2.9). Eclampsia was preceded by severe pre-eclampsia in 84% and by mild pre-eclampsia in 8% of the patients. Ten mothers suffered from severe eclampsia-related complications but, fortunately, none of the mothers died. Perinatal mortality was 5%, and 33% of the newborns were small for gestational age.
Conclusions:
Eclampsia is rare in Finland. Its low incidence is probably due to improved neonatal care that allows earlier deliveries before the progress of preeclampsia to eclampsia.
