Magnesium sulphate as an anticonvulsant in management of eclampsia: a hospital based study

ABSTRACT

To ascertain the efficacy of Magnesium Sulphate [mgso4] in cases of eclampsia with recurrent convulsions and establish the poor prognostic factors in cases that are unresponsive to mgso4 therapy. Prospective cross-sectional study. Simple convenient sampling. Obstetrical population of 3050 deliveries, both referred and non-booked cases. Unit-III, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sandeman [Provincial] Hospital, Quetta. One year [1st January to 31st December 2006]. A proforma was filled for all women [booked or un booked] who came with eclampsia. Pritchard regimen of mgso4 therapy was used, in which 4gm intravenous [I/V] loading dose of 20% solution was infused over 10-15 minutes followed by 5gm of 50% solution in each buttock [I/M] and maintained by 5gm I/M every 4 hourly till 24hrs of last fit or delivery whichever occurred lasclinical monitoring of patients was done during treatment due to non-availability of serum Magnesium [Mg++] levels.. Statistical analysis was done by Chi-square test [P confusion] Out of 50 cases of eclampsia, [92%] were non-booked. Incidence of eclampsia was 1.6% and out of 50 cases only 10% women had recurrent convulsions despite mgso4 therapy. These cases were managed with bolus intravenous doses of mgso4 and intravenous Midazolam [Dormicum] to abort intractable convulsions. There was one maternal death