Eclampsia
Take prompt action, save lives
For most women and their families, giving birth should be a time for celebration; but, every minute for one woman, pregnancy and childbirth end in death and mourning (UNFPA 2009). Although Bangladesh has made a notable progress in reducing many causes of maternal mortality, eclampsia — a disease characterised by high blood pressure and convulsion in pregnancy remains a significant problem for us. According to the 2010 Maternal Mortality Survey, eclampsia is the second most important cause of maternal death in Bangladesh. However, the condition can be easily treated if we take timely action during pregnancy. In a developing country like Bangladesh, a woman is 7 times more likely to develop pre-eclampsia (hypertension in pregnancy associated with significant amounts of protein in the urine), 3 times more likely to progress to eclampsia and 14 times more likely to die of eclampsia (Balancing the scales, EngenderHealth, 2007). Hypertension in pregnancy causes severe damage to the kidneys, heart, liver, brain and uterus — sometimes leading to fatal condition. Pre-eclampsia is diagnosed by screening and lab test of urine (presence of protein). When the condition gets associated with convulsion, it is called eclampsia. Calcium supplementation from the 4th month of pregnancy onwards is crucial for prevention of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Some drugs (Magnesium Sulfate) can reduce the occurrence of seizures in pregnant women with eclampsia by more than 50 percent and maternal death by 46 percent. It can also improve fetal maturity. At the community level, immediate referral of cases with pre-eclampsia or eclampsia with a high dose of Magnesium Sulphate is crucial for maternal and newborn survival.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments