Which condition may lead to seizures in a pregnant patient?

Eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy characterized by the occurrence of seizures in a patient who has previously experienced preeclampsia, which involves high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems. The seizures in eclampsia are typically tonic-clonic in nature and can occur before, during, or after labor. This condition signifies a progression from pre-existing hypertension associated with pregnancy to a more severe state, necessitating urgent medical intervention.

Historically, eclampsia can present after the 20th week of pregnancy and requires careful monitoring and management to prevent further seizures, as well as to address the potential risks to both the mother and the fetus. In contrast, other conditions such as gestational diabetes, preterm labor, and placenta previa do not typically lead to seizures. They may have other complications, but they do not share the relationship with seizures that eclampsia has within the context of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.