Eclampsia in Enugu, eastern Nigeria.

A retrospective analysis of 83 cases of eclampsia managed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital over a ten year period was carried out. Incidence of eclampsia was 1.7/1000 deliveries. Antepartum eclampsia constituted 84% of the cases managed. The incidence of eclampsia among unbooked cases was 14.3/1000 births and of these, the maternal mortality was 15.6% while the incidence of eclampsia for the booked patients was 1.1/1000 births of which the maternal mortality was 7.8%. Selection of high risk cases for hospital confinement, early referral of cases of eclampsia and careful use of drugs to control eclamptic fits are recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality from eclampsia.