Short-course postpartum (6-h) magnesium sulfate therapy in severe preeclampsia.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of short-course postpartum (6-h) magnesium sulfate therapy versus 24-h conventional magnesium sulfate therapy in severe preeclampsia.

Methods: Cases of severe preeclampsia were randomly allocated to group A (n = 76) and group B (n = 43). Group A and group B received magnesium sulfate loading dose (4 g) followed by infusion for 6 and 24 h postpartum (1 gm/h), respectively. Cases in both the groups were monitored closely after the initiation of therapy. t test and Chi-square test were used for data analysis.

Results: No occurrence of convulsions was noted in both group A and group B. The mean amount of magnesium sulfate used in the study group was 15.1 ± 5.4 g as against 42.3 ± 7.3 g in controls. The duration of Foley catheterization and monitoring was significantly less in group A (mean 11.3 ± 5.1 and 11.1 ± 4.9 h, respectively) as compared to group B (mean 38.3 ± 7.3 and 38.4 ± 7.2 h, respectively). The mean duration of hospital stay was 2.7 ± 0.7 days in cases delivered vaginally and 7.5 ± 1.6 days in those who underwent cesarean section in group A, while it was 4.04 ± 1.47 and 11.11 ± 3.14 days, respectively, in group B.

Conclusion: Short-course, i.e., 6-h, postpartum magnesium sulfate therapy is as effective as conventional 24-h postpartum magnesium sulfate therapy in preventing convulsions in severe preeclampsia.