Abbreviated 12-Hour Postpartum Magnesium Sulphate Therapy is Equally Effective and Safer Than Standard 24-Hour Therapy in Preeclampsia With Severe Features: Results From A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Eclampsia is a major life-threatening complication of preeclampsia with severe features leading to significant perinatal and maternal mortality and morbidity. Magnesium sulphate (MgSO Materials and methods: Patients having preeclampsia with severe features were randomized 1:1 into the 12-hour and 24-hour groups. Modified Pritchard regimen was used. The primary outcome was the incidence of seizures. Secondary outcomes included serious maternal morbidity and other adverse effects associated with MgSO Results: A total of 116 patients [57 (12-hour group) and 59 (24-hour group)] were included. The mean age was 25(±4) years, while the mean gestation period was 34 (±4) weeks. The incidence of seizures was comparable in the two groups [1 (2%), 3 (5%), p=0.62]. Patients in the 12-hour group [1 (2%)] had lesser postpartum drowsiness compared to the 24-hour group [15 (25%), p<0.001] and consequently, lesser problems in breastfeeding [1 (2%) versus 10 (17%), p=0.008]. There were no inter-group differences in other adverse effects including loss of reflexes, oliguria, respiratory depression, and proportion of patients requiring interruption of therapy. Perinatal outcomes were also similar. Conclusion: In patients having preeclampsia with severe features, 12-hour postpartum MgSO