Eclampsia remains a serious disorder with a high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Prevention is far better than cure. In developed countries with good antenatal care and timely management there has been a great reduction in the incidence of eclampsia. In developing countries, due to inadequate care during pregnancy and puerperium, eclampsia remains a major cause of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. In the past 30 years, there have been advances in the ability to alleviate severe hypertension with quick acting antihypertensive agents. There has been awareness of rapid diagnosis and treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to disastrous results. Lack of prenatal care is the major factor in development of irreversible eclampsia.