Eclampsia at a tertiary hospital 1973-99.

Background: To investigate changes in incidence, patient characteristics, comorbidity and in the care provided in cases of eclampsia at a tertiary hospital during the period 1973-99.

Methods: Thirty-nine cases were identified through the Swedish National Birth Registry. Incidences and rates regarding patient characteristics and outcomes (duration of intensive care unit surveillance, assisted ventilation, multiple seizures, predefined major complications, perinatal mortality, small for gestational age, and neonatal intensive care surveillance) were compared between the time periods 1973-79, 1980-89 and 1990-99 with trend analysis.