Early Detection of Dangerous Pregnancy Diseases

Researchers have identified 10 new symptoms that may signal an increased risk of eclampsia—a life-threatening condition characterized by seizures—in pregnant women already suffering from preeclampsia, also known as pregnancy poisoning.

The findings, published April 29, 2026, in the journal PLOS Medicine, suggest that identifying these early warning signs could allow healthcare providers to more accurately determine which patients require preventative treatment to avoid seizures and reduce maternal and fetal mortality globally.

Identifying Early Warning Signs

The study was led by researchers at the University of Gothenburg’s Sahlgrenska Academy, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne in Australia and Stellenbosch University in South Africa. The team focused on the transition from preeclampsia, which involves high blood pressure during pregnancy, to eclampsia, where the condition escalates into seizures.

The researchers identified 10 specific symptoms that showed a strong connection to the onset of eclampsia. These include:

• Twitching in the arms or legs
• Impaired speech
• Confusion
• Changes in hearing
• Severe dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating

According to the study, these symptoms were uncommon in women with preeclampsia who did not experience seizures, but were frequently reported by women before they suffered an eclamptic seizure. The data indicated that nearly all women who experienced eclampsia had at least one of these symptoms beforehand, and the risk increased as the number of symptoms present grew.

Improving Preventative Treatment

Magnesium sulfate is the standard medical intervention used to reduce the risk of seizures in high-risk pregnancies. However, because the treatment requires close monitoring and can cause side effects, it is not administered to every patient with preeclampsia.

In today’s care and with the clinical signs we look for, we unfortunately miss most women who are affected by eclampsia. The new symptoms we have now identified could find many more who could benefit from the treatment.

Lina Bergman, Associate Professor at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg

By integrating these 10 new symptoms into clinical assessments, medical professionals may be able to make a more precise determination of which patients are at the highest risk and would benefit most from magnesium sulfate therapy.

Study Scope and Limitations

The research involved 2,142 women from Pakistan and South Africa. Of these participants, 341 had eclampsia, 1,355 had preeclampsia without seizures, and 389 had normal pregnancies. Researchers gathered data by interviewing the women about symptoms they experienced in the days leading up to a seizure or prior to the interview.

The researchers noted certain limitations regarding the study’s methodology. Because the participants were questioned after the events occurred, there is some uncertainty in the reported answers. The study established a strong correlation between these symptoms and eclampsia, but it did not prove that the symptoms cause the condition.

While eclampsia is rare in countries with well-developed maternal healthcare systems, such as Sweden, it remains a significant cause of illness and death in regions where access to maternal care is more limited. The researchers hope these findings will improve global outcomes for pregnant women.