What is a key characteristic of eclampsia compared to other pregnancy complications?

A key characteristic of eclampsia is the presence of seizures. Eclampsia is a severe complication of pregnancy that often follows preeclampsia, which involves high blood pressure and potential organ dysfunction. However, what distinctly defines eclampsia is the occurrence of seizures that are not attributable to other neurological conditions.

While high blood pressure is a common feature of both eclampsia and preeclampsia, it alone does not distinguish eclampsia from other pregnancy-related issues, such as gestational hypertension, which may not involve seizures. Severe dehydration can occur in various pregnancy complications but is not specific to eclampsia. Therefore, the defining element of eclampsia is indeed the occurrence of seizures, which signal a serious escalation of the condition that requires immediate medical intervention.