Phenytoin infusion in severe pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Intravenous phenytoin sodium was given as a high-dose infusion (10 X 8-18 mg/kg) for anticonvulsive prophylaxis to 2 eclamptic patients and to 24 patients with moderate to severe pre-eclampsia. There were no major maternal or neonatal side-effects. Plasma phenytoin levels were within the therapeutic range (7-20 mg/l) at 30 min and 6 h after the infusion in all patients, and remained at a therapeutic level in 21 patients after 12 h. After a second dose of phenytoin in 19 patients, drug levels were within the therapeutic range at 24 h.