The prevention and treatment of eclampsia

The gain in weight per week in normal pregnancy should not exceed 300 Gm. A greater gain should suggest too large an intake of food or an abnormality in the water balance, and a gain greater than 600 Gm. should be regarded as being due to retained water. Appropriate treatment should be instituted early.A systolic blood pressure of 130 to 139 is considered abnormal and a systolic of 140 or more is indicative of pre-eclampsia, essential hypertension, vascular-renal disease, or glomerulonephritis.Proteinuria in pregnancy is abnormal and should always suggest toxemia. A persistent twenty-four hour excretion of 5 Gm. or more warrants interruption of the pregnancy in the interest of both fetus and mother.The occurrence of toxemia of pregnancy cannot be prevented, but the proper interpretation and treatment of the above signs will usually prevent the onset of the various cerebral, visual, gastrointestinal, and renal symptoms and signs and thus lessen the possibility of eclampsia.The obstetric treatment of eclampsia yields the lowest mortality. It comprises the control of the convulsions, the promotion of an adequate urinary output, and the securing of a normal temperature, pulse and respiratory rate, a conscious patient, and an early delivery.