Lesson 1Lab and imaging workup: baseline CBC, platelets, LFTs, creatinine, coagulation panel, urinalysis, and when to use CT/MRI in seizure workupOutlines essential laboratory and imaging evaluation in eclampsia, including baseline haematologic and metabolic tests, coagulation and renal panels, urine studies, and indications for CT or MRI to exclude alternative neurologic diagnoses in resource-variable environments.
Baseline CBC, platelets, and peripheral smearLiver, renal, and coagulation test panelsUrinalysis and protein quantification optionsWhen to order CT versus MRI of the brainInterpreting abnormal results for managementLesson 2Management of complications: HELLP syndrome, DIC, pulmonary oedema, renal impairment — monitoring and interventionsExplores recognition and management of HELLP, DIC, pulmonary oedema, and renal impairment in eclampsia, including diagnostic criteria, monitoring plans, pharmacologic and supportive interventions, and thresholds for ICU transfer in local facilities.
Diagnostic criteria and staging of HELLPRecognition and treatment of obstetric DICAssessment and management of pulmonary oedemaRenal impairment: labs, fluids, and dialysisICU referral criteria and multidisciplinary careLesson 3Recognition: red flags (severe headache, visual symptoms, hyperreflexia, proteinuria) and seizure characterisationExplains early recognition of preeclampsia and impending eclampsia, highlighting key symptoms, blood pressure thresholds, neurologic signs, proteinuria assessment, and seizure characterisation to guide urgent escalation of care in community clinics.
Blood pressure thresholds and measurement techniqueHeadache, visual changes, and neurologic signsHyperreflexia and clonus assessment stepsProteinuria testing and alternative markersSeizure phases and postictal evaluationLesson 4Anaesthesia considerations for labour or operative delivery in eclamptic patientsReviews anaesthesia options and risks for labour and operative delivery in eclamptic patients, including neuraxial versus general anaesthesia, platelet thresholds, airway concerns, drug interactions, and intraoperative blood pressure control for safe outcomes.
Pre-anaesthesia assessment and optimisationNeuraxial anaesthesia: indications and limitsGeneral anaesthesia and difficult airway risksAnaesthetic drug choices and interactionsIntraoperative blood pressure managementLesson 5Acute antihypertensive therapy: agents (labetalol, hydralazine, nifedipine), IV dosing ranges, titration, and contraindicationsReviews first-line IV and oral antihypertensive agents for severe hypertension in pregnancy, including dosing ranges, titration strategies, contraindications, monitoring, and coordination with seizure prophylaxis and fetal assessment in accessible ways.
IV labetalol dosing and titration protocolIV hydralazine dosing, onset, and redosingOral nifedipine for acute severe hypertensionContraindications and drug interaction pitfallsBlood pressure targets and monitoring frequencyLesson 6Magnesium sulphate: pharmacology, bolus and infusion dosing regimens, monitoring for toxicity, and reversal with calcium gluconateDetails magnesium sulphate pharmacology, loading and maintenance regimens for seizure prophylaxis and treatment, therapeutic levels, bedside toxicity monitoring, high-risk scenarios, and reversal with calcium gluconate and supportive care in rural areas.
Mechanism of action and therapeutic rangeLoading dose and maintenance infusion regimensClinical and laboratory toxicity monitoringRisk factors for magnesium accumulationCalcium gluconate reversal protocolLesson 7Obstetric decision-making post-stabilisation: indications and timing for delivery, induction vs caesarean at 37+ weeksAddresses obstetric decision-making once the patient is stabilised, including indications and timing for delivery, mode of delivery choices, induction methods, caesarean indications, and coordination with maternal and fetal status for balanced care.
Stabilisation goals before considering deliveryIndications for immediate versus delayed deliveryInduction methods in hypertensive patientsWhen to choose caesarean over vaginal birthBalancing maternal and fetal risks at termLesson 8Postpartum care, monitoring for recurrent seizures, magnesium maintenance dosing and duration, neonatal considerationsFocuses on postpartum monitoring after eclampsia, including blood pressure and neurologic surveillance, magnesium continuation and weaning, management of recurrent seizures, and neonatal evaluation for drug exposure and complications in follow-up.
Postpartum blood pressure and symptom monitoringDuration and adjustment of magnesium infusionEvaluation and treatment of recurrent seizuresPostpartum counselling and follow-up planningNeonatal assessment after maternal magnesiumLesson 9Immediate seizure management: airway, oxygen, positioning, aspiration prevention, and seizure termination prioritiesCovers immediate bedside actions during an eclamptic seizure, focusing on airway protection, maternal positioning, oxygen delivery, aspiration prevention, safe environment, seizure termination, and rapid transition to definitive therapy in emergencies.
Airway opening, suction, and adjunct selectionLeft lateral positioning and uterine displacementOxygen delivery methods and monitoringAspiration prevention and gastric protectionSeizure termination sequence and timingLesson 10Pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia and maternal/fetal implications at termDescribes current understanding of preeclampsia and eclampsia pathophysiology, including abnormal placentation, endothelial dysfunction, maternal organ injury, and resulting maternal and fetal consequences at term gestation in African contexts.
Abnormal placentation and spiral artery changesEndothelial dysfunction and vasospasm cascadeMultiorgan maternal injury mechanismsFetal growth restriction and hypoxia risksLong-term maternal cardiovascular sequelae
