A study of efficacy of labetalol in pregnancy induced hypertension.

ABSTRACT

Background: Pregnancy induced hypertension is a common medical complication associated with pregnancy. When untreated ,it has serious implications on maternal and fetal health. Labetalol is a new an anti hypertensive agent with alpha adrenergic and non selective beta –adrenergic receptor blocking actions. Objectives: 1)To assess the effect of labetalol on control of blood pressure in moderate to severe Pregnancy induced hypertension2)To study the side effects of labetalol 3)To analyze the maternal and perinatal outcome. Material and Methods: A prospective observational study of 50 cases of moderate to severe Pregnancy induced hypertension, treated with Labetalol ,was conducted over a period of two years. Cases were divided in Labetalol-respondent and non respondent group. Pregnancies from non-respondent group were terminated either by induction of labour or by caesarean section .Cases who responded to labetalol, were treated with oral Labetalol. Obstetric and perinatal outcome in both the groups was analyzed. Results: Fifty six percent cases did not respond to intravenous labetalol therapy (maximum dose 120 mg over 30 minutes) and thus pregnancy was terminated. Forty four percent cases responded to labetalol therapy and pregnancy was continued for average of 8 days .Forty eight percent cases were delivered by caesarean section. Seventy eight percent babies were live born .There were twelve stillbirths and five neonatal deaths .Twenty percent cases had mild and transient side effects related to labetalol. Conclusion:The effective control of blood pressure with the use of Labetalol in the dosage used ,was observed in less than fifty percent cases of moderate to severe pregnancy induced hypertension.