Comparison of the Efficacy of Shorter Duration Maintenance Dose of 12 hours versus 24-hour Maintenance Dose of Intravenous MgSO4 for Management of Severe Pre-eclamptic Patients

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and safety of 12-hour versus 24-hour
intravenous magnesium sulfate maintenance therapy in preventing seizures among
patients with severe pre-eclampsia.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Obstetrics and
Gynaecology Department of Lahore General Hospital over 12 months. A total of 256
pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia were randomized into two equal groups
receiving either 12-hour or 24-hour intravenous magnesium sulfate therapy. Patients were
monitored for seizures, vital signs, urine output, and adverse effects. Data were collected using a structured proforma and analyzed for efficacy and safety outcomes.
Results: Overall 256 patients randomized equally to 12-hour or 24-hour IV magnesium
sulfate maintenance therapy, both regimens showed comparable seizure control, with mean seizure counts of 0.11 ± 0.56 vs. 0.06 ± 0.41 (t = 0.759, df = 254, p = 0.448) and prophylaxis success rates of 96.1% vs. 97.7%. Adverse effects including poor
reflexes, flushing, drowsiness, hypothermia, and oliguria were statistically insignificant
across the groups (p > 0.05). Overall, the 12-hour and 24-hour magnesium sulfate
regimens demonstrated equivalent safety and efficacy (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Both the 12-hour and 24-hour intravenous magnesium sulfate regimens
were found to be equally effective in preventing eclamptic seizures among women with
severe pre-eclampsia.