Effect of seasonal changes on frequency of eclampsia in patients presenting to Ayub Teaching Hospital.

Abstract

Introduction: Eclampsia is an acute obstetrical emergency carrying high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. High blood pressure during pregnancy after 20 weeks of gestation is associated with proteinuria and generalized tonic-clonic convulsions. The purpose of the study is to observe seasonal variation in the presentation of eclampsia in a tertiary-level hospital. Methods: This is two years study conducted in the Gynae A unit, Ayub teaching hospital, Abbottabad, from January 2021 to December 2022. The study included all the patients admitted to the unit with eclampsia. It included antenatal patients and patients who developed eclampsia in labour or perpurium. Patients with a history of fits due to epilepsy or any other neurological disease were excluded from the study.  Results: The total number of patients admitted with eclampsia during this period was 88 (1.22 %). The majority of patients were in the age group between 21 to 35 years (78.3%). There were 52 primigravidas out of 88(59.1%). There were 46 multigravidas (40.9%). 78 patients out of 88(88.6 %) belonged to areas more than 25 kilometres away from a medical facility. The season was cross-tabulated with different variables, and no statistical significance was found. Conclusion: Eclampsia is a severe obstetrical emergency usually involving young primigravidas with poor socioeconomic status and no antenatal care. Primary prevention is regular antenatal care. Early referral and time management will reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The incidence of eclampsia is more in the fall and winter seasons.