eclampsia
noun
eclamp·sia i-ˈklam(p)-sē-ə 
: a convulsive state
especially : an attack of convulsions during pregnancy or childbirth
eclamptic
i-ˈklam(p)-tik
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Pregnant people ages 10 to 19 face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis and systemic infections compared with women ages 20 to 24, according to the World Health Organization. 
Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 14 July 2022 As a result, the staff was struggling with very serious cases: women who, like this young patient with eclampsia, would have simply died at home. New York Times, 8 Aug. 2022 Adolescent mothers reportedly face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, and systemic infections than older women, and babies of adolescent mothers face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm delivery and severe neonatal conditions. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 22 July 2022 Kristen had pre-eclampsia and needed to be admitted to the hospital for monitoring. Laura Crimaldi, BostonGlobe.com, 18 June 2022 Women who were turned away reported more life-threatening complications like eclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage. Devi Shastri, Journal Sentinel, 3 June 2022 Stress has also caused pre-eclampsia, a complication of elevated blood pressure that can be lethal. New York Times, 7 Apr. 2022 After running several tests, she was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome, a life-threatening pregnancy complication associated with pre-eclampsia. NBC News, 11 Feb. 2022 Those emergencies can include induction, emergency C-section, hemorrhaging after birth, eclampsia, placental abruption, or the immediate need of a large medical team in a way that was unknown prior to labor or delivery. Claire Gillespie, Health.com, 10 Nov. 2021 See More
Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 14 July 2022 As a result, the staff was struggling with very serious cases: women who, like this young patient with eclampsia, would have simply died at home. New York Times, 8 Aug. 2022 Adolescent mothers reportedly face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, and systemic infections than older women, and babies of adolescent mothers face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm delivery and severe neonatal conditions. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 22 July 2022 Kristen had pre-eclampsia and needed to be admitted to the hospital for monitoring. Laura Crimaldi, BostonGlobe.com, 18 June 2022 Women who were turned away reported more life-threatening complications like eclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage. Devi Shastri, Journal Sentinel, 3 June 2022 Stress has also caused pre-eclampsia, a complication of elevated blood pressure that can be lethal. New York Times, 7 Apr. 2022 After running several tests, she was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome, a life-threatening pregnancy complication associated with pre-eclampsia. NBC News, 11 Feb. 2022 Those emergencies can include induction, emergency C-section, hemorrhaging after birth, eclampsia, placental abruption, or the immediate need of a large medical team in a way that was unknown prior to labor or delivery. Claire Gillespie, Health.com, 10 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin, from Greek éklampsis "violent onset, sudden development" (from eklámpein "to shine out, burst forth violently"—from ek- ec- + lámpein "to give light, shine"— + -sis -sis) + New Latin -ia -ia entry 1 — more at lamp
Note: In reference to a complication of pregnancy, short for New Latin eclampsia parturientium "convulsions of those giving birth."
First Known Use
circa 1860, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
eclampsia
noun
ec·lamp·sia i-ˈklam(p)-sē-ə, e-
: a convulsive state : an attack of convulsions: as
a
: convulsions or coma late in pregnancy in an individual affected with preeclampsia compare toxemia of pregnancy
b
: a condition comparable to milk fever of cows occurring in domestic animals (as dogs and cats)
eclampsias
noun
as in convulsions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- convulsions
- spasms
- relapses
- paroxysms
- pangs
- attacks
- throes
- seizures
- recurrences
- brainstorms
- agitations
- spells
- fits
- accesses
- collapses
- sieges
- bouts
- breakdowns
- cases
- turns
- frenzies
- prostrations
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- arrests
- reliefs
- remissions