Seizures in a pregnant woman not related to a preexisting brain condition are called?

• A. Eclampsia
• B. Epilepsy
• C. Meningitis
• D. Preeclampsia

Answer: (A)

Seizures that occur during pregnancy in someone without a preexisting brain condition are eclampsia. This situation happens in the setting of preeclampsia, which is new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation, often with proteinuria or end-organ dysfunction. Epilepsy is a chronic seizure disorder not specifically tied to pregnancy. Meningitis is an infection of the meninges with signs like fever and neck stiffness. Preeclampsia describes the hypertensive state itself, but it’s the progression from preeclampsia to seizures that defines eclampsia.