A Study of Eclampsia Cases Associated with Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

Incidence of eclampsia is 1 in 2000 to 3250 deliveries in developed countries and 1 to 5% in India. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a constellation of symptoms caused by reversible ischaemia mostly of the posterior cerebral vasculature. PRES has been associated with preeclampsia-eclampsia and acute renal injury. We present a study of patients in whom eclampsia was complicated with PRES. Our aim was to study the clinico-radiological profile, associated complications and outcome of patients who had eclampsia with PRES.

A retrospective study was done of all pregnancies diagnosed as eclampsia with PRES syndrome over a four year period from August 2010 to July 2014 managed at Karnataka institute of medical sciences, Hubli, India.

Eleven patients had eclampsia with PRES syndrome of the 36,094 patients delivered in the institution over the study period. Nine of these were primigravidas, 8 were of 20-25 years age group, 10 presented with multiple seizure episodes. In eight patients seizures were controlled only with MgSo4. Perinatal mortality was seen in three patients. There were no maternal deaths in these cases.

Incidence of eclampsia with PRES syndrome was 0.03% amongst the patients delivered in Karnataka institute of medical sciences. The incidence of PRES was more amongst cases of postpartum eclampsias as compared to antepartum eclampsias. PRES was more common in primigravidas and younger age group (20 to 25 years). Signs of imminent eclampsia like headache, epigastric pain and blurring vision were uncommon in these patients. In the majority of the patients seizures were controlled with MgSo4 alone. Prognosis of eclamptic patients with PRES was favourable.