Late Onset Postpartum Eclampsia: It is Really Never Too Late-A Case of Eclampsia 8 Weeks after Delivery

Jens Minnerup1, Ilka Kleffner, Heike Wersching

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer Strasse 33, 48149 Münster, Germany.

Introduction. Eclampsia is the combination of preeclampsia and seizures. Approximately one-half of all cases of eclampsia occur postpartum. Thereby late onset postpartum eclampsia is defined by its onset more than 48 hours after delivery. Summary of Case. We report a postpartum eclampsia occurring 8 weeks after delivery, which is the latest onset ever described. The course was complicated by an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Conclusion. A late onset postpartum eclampsia even several weeks after delivery should be considered as possible diagnosis, since early treatment initiation with magnesium sulphate and antihypertensive medication prevents severe complications and reduces mortality.

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