A randomised comparative study between low-dose intravenous magnesium sulphate and standard intramuscular regimen for treatment of eclampsia

Abstract

In a randomised control study, we evaluated the efficacy of intravenous low-dose magnesium sulphate for the management of eclampsia. A total of 144 women with eclampsia were divided into a study group and a control group of 72 women each. The study group received 0.75 g/h of magnesium sulphate intravenously after a loading intravenous dose of 4 g and the control group was given the standard intramuscular regimen as advocated by Pritchard. The primary outcome measure was recurrence rate of the seizures. The secondary outcome measures were development of magnesium toxicity if any, and maternal and perinatal outcomes. The difference in the incidence of fit recurrence was statistically insignificant when both groups were compared (7.46% vs 8.57%, p = 0.939). The total dose of magnesium sulphate was significantly lower in the intravenous group (p < 0.0001), in which no patient developed magnesium toxicity. Low-dose intravenous magnesium sulphate was found to be as effective as the standard intramuscular regimen, while maintaining a high safety margin.