A comparative study of low dose magnesium sulphate regime and pritchard regime for imminent eclampsia and eclampsia.

Abstract

Aim: To Study the effectiveness, side effects and maternal and perinatal outcome using low dose MgSO4 in comparison with the standard Pritchard regimen. Objective: 1) To study the efficacy of low dose MgSo4 regime for control of convulsions in eclampsia and as seizure prophylaxis in imminent eclampsis. 2) To study the maternal and perinatal outcome in these patients. 3) To study the side effects of MgSo4 in both the groups. 4) To compare the results with that of the Pritchard regimen. . Study design This prospective randomized control study was conducted between Aug 2005 to July 2007 at department of OBG, JIPMER, Puducherry. This study was done to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low dose MgSo4 as compared to the standard Pritchard regimen. Total number of patients included in this study was 170. Two groups were made consisting of 85 cases in each group as group I (control) and group II (study). Each group had 50 eclampsia cases and 35 imminent eclampsia cases. Results are analysed using chi square test and independent t test. Result The groups were compared with respect to age, gravidity, gestational age, antenatal care, type of eclampsia, need of antihypertensive therapy, dose of MgSO4 received, complications during MgSO4 therapy, number of convulsions and perinatal mortality, blood pressure at discharge. Antepartum eclampsia was the commonest , the mean amount of MgSO4 received was 30.60gm and 19.35gm in group I and II with eclampsia and 25.5gm , 14.8gm in group I and II with imminent eclampsis respectively and was statistically significant with a pvalue < 0.001% . Perinatal mortality in patients with 6 to 10 convulsions is higher with Pritchard regime compared to low dose with p value < 0.0004. Conclusion Low dose magnesium sulfate is as effective as conventional full dose Pritchard regime with lesser side effects and equally good perinatal outcome.