Magnesium sulphate therapy in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia: one year experience

To study the efficacy of Magnesium Sulphate Therapy for prevention and control of fits in patients with preeclampsia and eclampsia. Interventional Study. This study was conducted at the Department of Obstetric and Gynecology Unit II, Mother and Child Health Centre, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from April 2002 to March 2003. Total 50 women with preeclampsia / imminent eclampsia and eclampsia fulfilling the study criteria were admitted in HAD, adjacent to labour ward. Magnesium Sulphate therapy started after complete evaluation of the patients according to the study protocol. Patients monitored carefully for any side effects of magnesium therapy and occurrence of convulsions. Primary outcome measures were development of eclampsia or recurrent seizures in patients with eclampsia, neonatal morbidity and mortality. Secondary outcome measures were serious maternal morbidity, magnesium toxicity and other side effects of MgSO[4] and complications of labour and delivery. Total 50 women were entered into the study over a period of one year. Out of these 12 [24%] women presented with eclampsia, 5 [10%] had imminent eclampsia and 33 [66%] were diagnosed as pre-eclampsia. Of the 12 women with eclampsia, none had recurrent seizures. Out of 38 women with pre-eclampsia and imminent eclampsia, only one [2%] woman developed eclampsia. There was no case of magnesium toxicity. Overall 12 [24%] of the babies were delivered with poor Apgar score. Two babies were expired within five minutes of delivery while 5 babies expired in NICU. There were 6 intrauterine deaths and 4 intrapartum deaths. Magnesium sulphate is an effective anticonvulsant for the treatment and prevention of eclampsia when used judiciously. In the dosage used it does not have any substantive harmful effects on women and their babiesstage repair is more appropriate with satisfactory results

hospital based study of frequency, intensity and impact of premenstrual syndrome symptoms on female patients

To study the frequency, intensity of the premenstrual symptoms and its impact on the women reporting to the hospital with other complaints. Observational Study. This study was conducted at the Outpatient Department of Gyne and Obst. Unit, Fauji Foundation Medical College / Hospital, Rawalpindi from 1[st] June 2008 to 31[st] December 2008. We had total 224 women who were included in this study. These women were included in this study because they were menstruating regularly for the last six months. They were not suffering from any surgical, medical or psychiatric illness and were not pregnant. These women were interviewed by trained personnel and all the symptoms with their intensity were entered into the specially designed proformas. Only those symptoms were given importance which was present in the preceding at least three menstrual cycles. Out of total 224 women only 34% of the women had any awareness regarding the presence of these symptoms in relation to menstruation. Lethargy was the commonest symptom found in 74% of women with mild intensity [51.9%]. Least common symptom was negative thoughts present in 16% of the women. 50% of the women reported that their daily activities were affected by the presence of these symptoms. For the relief of these symptoms the commonest drug used was ponston [39.7%]. The age group mostly affected in our study was from 36 to 50 years. The awareness regarding premenstrual syndrome associated symptoms is very low and especially amongst women belonging to rural background with low educational status. Health providers should be actively involved in providing information and therapies to these women so that they do not suffer in silence