eclampsia (ek-lamp'se-ah)

An acute toxemia occurring in the pregnant woman, usually characterized by clonic and tonic convulsions, during which there is lo of consciousne followed by more or le prolonged coma. The term was formerly used to signify convulsions occurring in children and in adults irrespective of cerebral disease. Degenerative changes are also found in the liver, kidneys, heart and brain, albuminuric e. E. due to or a ociated with albuminuria. e. gravidum. See puerperal convulsions, under convulsion, e. parturientium, e. puerperal is. See puerperal convulsions, under convulsion, puerperal e. See puerperal convulsions, under convulsion. uremic e. E. due to suppre ion of urine and consequent uremia. [Gr., eklampein, to burst forth violently.]