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

Examples of eclampsia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lucas shoots a gun at his father, and his mom collapses in pain — which turns out to be eclampsia. —Marianne Eloise, Vulture, 30 May 2024

To prevent or treat eclampsia, doctors sometimes give an at-risk expectant mother multiple injections of magnesium sulfate. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 2 May 2024

In late December, doctors at the al-Aqsa Hospital, 11 miles to the north, received a pregnant woman whose high blood pressure caused eclampsia and bleeding to her brain, according to Deborah Harrington, a British obstetrician who volunteered at the hospital with a Medical Aid for Palestinians team. —Hajar Harb, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2024

The complications, known as severe maternal morbidity, include unexpected and life-threatening events such as heart attacks, dangerously high blood pressure known as eclampsia, and extreme situations requiring life-saving interventions including the use of ventilators. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2023

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)

eclamptic

i-ˈklam(p)-tik, e- 

adjective