Eclampsia in Finland in 1990-1994

Background. Eclampsia is a serious threat to both maternal and fetal well-being. We started the present study because no recent data are available on the incidence of eclampsia and the outcome of patients with this serious disorder in Finland. Methods. The incidence of eclampsia in Finland in 1990-1994 was studied retrospectively. The data were retrieved from the National Birth Register and the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register. Patient records were reviewed. Results. Seventy-seven cases of eclampsia were found in the hospital records, which gave an eclampsia incidence of 2.4 per 10,000 deliveries (95% confidence intervals 1.9 to 2.9). Eclampsia was preceded by severe pre-eclampsia in 84% and by mild pre-eclampsia in 8% of the patients. Ten mothers suffered from severe eclampsia-related complications but, fortunately, none of the mothers died. Perinatal mortality was 5%, and 33% of the newborns were small for gestational age. Conclusions. Eclampsia is rare in Finland. Its low incidence is probably due to improved neonatal care that allows earlier deliveries before the progress of preeclampsia to eclampsia.