Atypical Eclampsia: A Case Report
Éclampsie Atypique : À Propos d’un Cas
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18621488Keywords:
Éclampsie atypique ; prééclampsie ; post-partum tardif ; convulsionsAbstract
La prééclampsie est classiquement définie comme l’apparition d’une hypertension artérielle associée à une protéinurie ou à des signes de dysfonction d’organe après 20 semaines d’aménorrhée. L’éclampsie correspond à la survenue de convulsions tonico-cloniques en lien avec une prééclampsie. Cependant, des formes dites atypiques, sans hypertension ni protéinurie, sont décrites et peuvent représenter jusqu’à 8 % des éclampsies. Ces formes constituent un défi diagnostique et sont associées à un retard de prise en charge et à une augmentation de la morbi-mortalité maternelle. Nous rapportons le cas d’une primipare de 30 ans présentant des convulsions au troisième jour du post-partum sans élévation tensionnelle préalable et avec une protéinurie non significative.
Preeclampsia is classically defined as elevated blood pressure associated with significant proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Eclampsia is one of its complications and is characterized by the occurrence of seizures in the context of pregnancy-related hypertension. However, atypical eclampsia has been described, occurring without hypertension or proteinuria. We report on the case of a 30-year-old primigravida who presented seizures in the absence of hypertension and without significant proteinuria. This case highlights the importance of recognizing atypical presentations to enable early diagnosis and appropriate management, thereby reducing maternal mortality.
References
1. Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia: ACOG Practice Bulletin Summary, Number 222. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2020 June;135(6):1492–5.
2. Magee LA, Brown MA, Hall DR, Gupte S, Hennessy A, Karumanchi SA, et al. The 2021 International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy classification, diagnosis & management recommendations for international practice. Pregnancy Hypertension. 2022 Mar;27:148–69.
3. Sibai BM, Stella CL. Diagnosis and management of atypical preeclampsia-eclampsia. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2009 May;200(5):481.e1-481.e7.
4. Maturu MVS, Pappu S, Datla AV, Devara A, Dalai S. Atypical Presentation of Antenatal Eclampsia. Cureus [Internet]. 2022 May 5 [cited 2025 Nov 22]; Available from: https://www.cureus.com/articles/96835-atypical-presentation-of-antenatal-eclampsia
5. Albayrak M, Ozdemir I, Demiraran Y, Dikici S. Atypical preeclampsia and eclampsia: report of four cases and review of the literature. J Turkish German Gynecol Assoc. 2010 June 1;11(2):115–7.
6. Li W, Wu N, Xu Z, Liu Z. Intrapartum eclampsia with no signs or symptoms of preeclampsia: A case report. Asian Journal of Surgery. 2023 Dec;46(12):6069–70.
7. Sibai BM. The Magpie Trial. The Lancet. 2002 Oct 26;360(9342):1329
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Christiane Jivir Fomu Nsahlai, Simone Tanda, Michèle Florence Mendoua, Ntsama Menanga Patricia Thérèse, Mpono Emenguele Pascale, Nyada Serge Robert, Mboua Batoum Véronique Sophie, Ngono Akam Marga Vanina, Tompeen Isidore, Ebong Cliford Ebontane, Mve Koh Valère Simon

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work













