A novel protocol for postpartum magnesium sulphate in severe pre-eclampsia: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Magnesium sulphate is the preferred anticonvulsant used to prevent the development of fits in severe pre-eclampsia; we aim to compare between three different protocols of postpartum magnesium sulphate in the effectiveness of preventing the development of fits in severe pre-eclampsia.

METHODS:

Double-blind randomized controlled pilot trial, done in Cairo university hospital, Cairo, Egypt during 2013-2014, on 240 women with severe pre-eclampsia. Magnesium sulphate intravenous infusion was given in the postpartum period to all the patients, women were randomly allocated to group I (Single loading dose only), group II (12 h abbreviated protocol) or group III (24 h standard protocol) (n = 80 in each group).

RESULTS:

There were no significant difference between the three groups as regards the incidence of eclampsia, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets syndrome, maternal ICU admission and; however The incidence of flushing was significantly higher in group III than group II and I (24 [30%] versus 12 [15%] versus 4 [5%]; p < 0.001) respectively.

CONCLUSION:

The pilot study demonstrates that the single-loading dose of postpartum magnesium sulphate is a promising alternative to the standard and the abbreviated protocol in preventing eclampsia; however, a large clinical trial is necessary to prove this.

• Authors: Waleed El-Khayat, Adel Atef, Sahar Abdelatty, Ali El-Semary
• Journal: The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians (J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med) Vol. 29 Issue 1 Pg. 154-8 ( 2016) ISSN: 1476-4954 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25483417 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Magnesium Sulfate

Topics

• Adult
• Anticonvulsants (administration & dosage)
• Clinical Protocols
• Eclampsia (prevention & control)
• Female
• Humans
• Magnesium Sulfate (administration & dosage)
• Pilot Projects
• Postpartum Period
• Pre-Eclampsia (drug therapy)
• Pregnancy
• Young Adult