Which condition produces seizures and coma during pregnancy due to a severe complication?

• A. Preeclampsia
• B. Placenta previa
• C. Cystitis
• D. Eclampsia

Answer: (D)

Eclampsia is the severe pregnancy complication that produces seizures and can progress to coma. It represents the progression of preeclampsia, which is characterized by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks’ gestation. When preeclampsia worsens to eclampsia, cerebral involvement—caused by extreme hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and cerebral vasospasm or edema—leads to convulsions and altered levels of consciousness. The other conditions listed don’t feature seizures or coma as a defining complication: placenta previa involves painless vaginal bleeding due to placental placement, and cystitis is a bladder infection. Thus, seizures and coma in this context point to eclampsia.