FREQUENCY OF RECURRENT SEIZURES IN PATIENTS SEEKING LOADING DOSE OF MGSO4 ONLY IN ECLAMPSIA

Abstract

Background; Hypertensive disorders such as eclampsia is significant contributor to maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide particularly in the developing countries. This study was done to determine the frequency of recurrent seizures in patients seeking loading dose of MgSO₄ only in eclampsia. Materials & Method: Pregnant ladies (n = 114) of any parity, 15-35 years old having more than 20 weeks gestational amenorrhea from last menstrual period were included in our study. Patients admitted with eclampsia were examined for recurrent seizures. Frequency of recurrent seizures with loading dose of mgso₄ was noted till 48 hours of receiving loading dose of MgSO₄. However if there was a repeat fit with loading dose of MgSO₄ then an additional 2 gms MgSO₄ was given intravenously and shifted to maintenance regimen. Results; Mean age of our study cases was noted to be 29.75 ± 4.56 years (with minimum age of our patients was 22 years while maximum age was 35 years). Mean parity of our study cases was noted to be 2.03 ± 1.31. Majority of our study cases i.e. 64 (56.1%) had parity less than 3 and gravidity less than 4 was noted in 82 (71.9%) of our study cases. Mean gestational age of our study cases was noted to be 30.80 ± 4.90 weeks (with minimum gestational age was 22 weeks and maximum gestational age was 38 weeks). Mean body mass index (BMI) of our study cases was noted to be 24.67 ± 3.02 kg/m² and obesity was noted in 25 (21.9%) of our study cases. Mean number of seizures (before start of therapy) was 6.46 ± 3.21 (with minimum no. of seizures was 3 while maximum no. of seizures were noted to be 15). Recurrence of seizures was noted in 11 (9.6%) of our study cases. Conclusion; Our study results have shown that recurrence of seizures was quite low with loading dose of magnesium sulphate. It is safe, effective and reliable therapy in controlling seizures in eclampsia. Provision of loading dose of MgSO₄ to these patients will not only reduce painful intramuscular injections but also helpful to reduce related costs. So use of loading dose of MgSO₄ regimen is recommended of our group of patients as most of our patients are poor.

Keywords; Loading dose, eclampsia, recurrence of seizures.