What condition is characterized by elevated blood pressure and seizures during pregnancy?

The condition characterized by elevated blood pressure and seizures during pregnancy is known as eclampsia, but the correct answer in this context would be preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia typically occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and is marked by new-onset hypertension and signs of end-organ dysfunction, which can include protein in the urine. If preeclampsia progresses, it can lead to eclampsia, where the patient experiences seizures. This condition represents a serious health risk both for the mother and the fetus and requires careful monitoring and management.

In reviewing the other conditions: gestational diabetes primarily involves blood sugar control during pregnancy and does not include elevated blood pressure or seizures as primary symptoms. Placental abruption refers to the premature separation of the placenta and can lead to bleeding and abdominal pain, rather than the specific triad of hypertension and seizures.

Thus, recognizing the progression from preeclampsia to eclampsia is crucial in understanding why preeclampsia is an important condition to identify in managing pregnant patients.