Seasonal trends in the occurrence of eclampsia.

BACKGROUND The occurrence of eclampsia may be related to season and altitude. METHODS We studied the influence of environmental factors such as range of temperature and relative humidity on the occurrence of eclampsia by collecting data on consecutive cases of eclampsia admitted to the Government Maternity Hospital, Hyderabad, from September 1987 to August 1988. The mean range of temperature and relative humidity were calculated for each month. The data on eclampsia and adverse outcome in terms of still-births were analysed in relation to variations in temperature and humidity. RESULTS The results support the speculated relationship between increasing humidity and a lower temperature range and the increased incidence of eclampsia. Still-births due to eclampsia also showed a positive correlation with relative humidity. CONCLUSION A better understanding of the relationship of weather to eclampsia may provide further insight into the poorly understood pathophysiology of the disease.