A lower dose of magnesium sulphate for control of convulsion in eclamptic women of Bangladesh

Abstract

Eclampsia, a life threatening complication of pregnancy. It is one of the important cause of maternal mortality of Bangladesh. Eclamptic seizure can effectively controlled by use of magnesium sulphate. A prospective randomized case control study was conducted at eclampsia ward of Dhaka Medical College Hospital for one year from June 2007 to May 2008. Objective: To find out whether only 8gm of magnesium sulphate heptahydrate (Nalepsin) as a single loading dose is sufficient to control eclamptic convulsion and also to compare the efficacy between 8gm & 10gm of MgSo4 used to control convulsion. Methodology: A random selection was done by lottery of those antepartum and intrapartum cases who fulfill the selection criteria. Hundred patient were selected and grouped them into case & control. 8gm Nalepsion ( Magnesium sulphate heptahydrate) as a single I.V dose was selected for case and 10gm MgSo4 (4gm I.V + 3gm I.M in each buttock) was for control group. Different variables were compaired and results were analyzed by unpaired 't' test and chi-square test (X2) by SPSS programme. Result: Statistically there was no significant difference of any finding between two groups after comparing all variables individually. Conclusion: 8gm Nalepsin intravenously as a single loading dose is sufficient to control eclamptic convulsion and prevention of its recurrence.