Epidemiological panel of deaths from eclampsia in Brazilian women between 2019 and 2021

Abstract

Eclampsia is a severe complication of pre-eclampsia characterized by seizures in pregnant women without a history of seizure disorders, generally occurring after the 20th week of gestation and may persist after delivery. It is a critical condition that affects both the mother and the fetus, being more common in multiple pregnancies and women with a history of hypertension or kidney disease. Eclampsia is a significant cause of maternal mortality worldwide, including in Brazil, where variations in prevalence reflect disparities in access to healthcare and quality of prenatal care. The objective of this study is to analyze deaths from eclampsia in Brazilian women between 2019 and 2021, seeking to identify geographic patterns, prevalent risk factors and relationships with other comorbidities to guide public policies and prevention strategies. A quantitative and retrospective epidemiological analysis was carried out with data from the Mortality Information System (SIM), using Microsoft Excel 2019 software to manipulate and analyze demographic and clinical variables. The research used secondary data in the public domain, not requiring submission to the Research Ethics Committee. The study revealed that between 2019 and 2021 there was a fluctuation in deaths from eclampsia in Brazil, with a higher incidence in the Northeast region and among women aged 30 to 34 years. Ethnicities with the highest number of deaths included brown and yellow women, and most deaths occurred in hospitals. The discussion in the studies highlighted that eclampsia is a condition with complex pathophysiology involving endothelial dysfunction and vasoconstriction due to hypertension. Risk factors such as advanced maternal age, obesity, and socioeconomic factors such as low educational level are significant. The need for a preventative approach and improvements in the health system to reduce mortality from eclampsia was emphasized. This study highlights the importance of effective public policies and educational campaigns to improve the recognition and treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Collaboration between different sectors is crucial to mitigate risks and improve maternal health outcomes, promoting greater equity in access to essential health resources and a multidimensional approach that considers the sociocultural specificities of affected women.