Emergent challenges: Eclampsia case series in primigravida Rohingya refugees of Malaysia

Eclampsia, a serious and life-threatening complication of pregnancy, affects women in low-income and vulnerable populations. This case series describes the clinical management of two young Rohingya refugee women, aged 17 and 21, who presented with eclampsia at Seberang Jaya Hospital, Penang, Malaysia. Both patients reported prodromal symptoms of severe headache and visual disturbances before experiencing generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Treatment involved intravenous magnesium sulfate for seizure control and labetalol for blood pressure control, in accordance with local clinical guidelines. Notably, the 17-year-old patient's recovery was complicated by concurrent dengue fever, which presented additional management challenges. Neonatal outcomes varied significantly: the first infant had an Apgar score of 3 at 1 min and a birth weight of 1.7 kg, while the second infant had a healthier outcome, with an Apgar score of 9 and a birth weight of 3 kg. These cases emphasize the critical need for timely diagnosis, standardized treatment protocols, and comprehensive maternal and neonatal care in managing eclampsia among vulnerable populations.