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Meta-Analysis
. 2010 Sep 8;2010(9):CD002960.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002960.pub2.

Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail for eclampsia

Lelia Duley  1 , A Metin Gülmezoglu, Doris Chou
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail for eclampsia

Lelia Duley et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Eclampsia, the occurrence of a seizure in association with pre-eclampsia, is a rare but serious complication of pregnancy. A number of different anticonvulsants have been used to control eclamptic fits and to prevent further seizures.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of magnesium sulphate compared with lytic cocktail (usually chlorpromazine, promethazine and pethidine) when used for the care of women with eclampsia. Magnesium sulphate is compared with diazepam and with phenytoin in other Cochrane reviews.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (July 2010) and the Cochrane Central Register of Trials (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 2).

Selection criteria: Randomised trials comparing magnesium sulphate (intravenous or intramuscular administration) with lytic cocktail for women with a clinical diagnosis of eclampsia.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors (L Duley and D Chou) assessed trial quality and extracted data.

Main results: We included three small trials (total 397 women) of average quality in the review. Magnesium sulphate was associated with fewer maternal deaths (risk ratio (RR) 0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03 to 0.59; 3 trials, 397 women) and was better at preventing further seizures (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.12; 3 trials, 397 women) than lytic cocktail. Magnesium sulphate was also associated with less respiratory depression (RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.91; 2 trials, 198 women), less coma (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.74; 1 trial, 108 women), and less pneumonia (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.67; 2 trials, 307 women). There was no clear difference in the RR for any death of the baby (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.05 to 2.38, random effects; 2 trials, 177 babies).

Authors' conclusions: Magnesium sulphate, rather than lytic cocktail, for women with eclampsia reduces the RR of maternal death, of further seizures and of serious maternal morbidity (respiratory depression, coma, pneumonia). Magnesium sulphate is the anticonvulsant of choice for women with eclampsia; the use of lytic cocktail should be abandoned.

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Conflict of interest statement

None known.

Figures

1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 1 Maternal death.
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 2 Recurrence of convulsions.
1.3
1.3. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 3 Stroke.
1.4
1.4. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 4 Renal failure.
1.5
1.5. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 5 Oliguria.
1.6
1.6. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 6 HELLP syndrome.
1.7
1.7. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 7 Coagulopathy.
1.8
1.8. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 8 Coma > 24 hours.
1.9
1.9. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 9 Respiratory depression.
1.10
1.10. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 10 Pneumonia.
1.11
1.11. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 11 Cardiac arrest.
1.12
1.12. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 12 Mechanical ventilation.
1.13
1.13. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 13 Caesarean section.
1.14
1.14. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 14 Postpartum psychosis.
1.15
1.15. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 15 Death of the fetus or infant (subgroups by stillbirth, perinatal and neonatal death).
1.16
1.16. Analysis
Comparison 1 Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail, Outcome 16 Any death of the fetus or infant.
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Update of

References

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References to other published versions of this review

Duley 2001
    1. Duley L, Gulmezoglu AM. Magnesium sulphate versus lytic cocktail for eclampsia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2000, Issue 3. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002960] - DOI - PubMed

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