of pregnancy cases, which is serious, and
eclampsia is the prime reason(Federaration of
Gynaecology Society of India)1.Pre-eclampsia
and eclampsia account for about 9% of
maternal deaths in Africa and Asia and about
one-quar ter of maternal deaths in Latin
America and the Caribbean.There is need to
provide the most effective management to preeclamptic
and eclamptic patients. There is now
evidence that magnesium sulphate is the drug
of choice in the management of severe preeclampsia/
eclampsia2. MgSO4 has been used
in obstetrics with good results, inhibiting
premature labor and in the treatment of
eclampsia-associated seizures2.
In severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia,
the total initial dose is 10 to 14 g of MgSO4.
Intravenously, a dose of 4 to 5 g in 250 mL of
5% Dextrose Injection, 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Injection may be infused. Simultaneously,
intramuscular doses of up to 10 g (5 g in each
buttock) are given3.
A potential concern for magnesium
sulphate therapy is the risk of side effects which
could increase with the duration of treatment
especially if there are challenges in clinical
monitoring of the patients. The therapeutic
range of magnesium in plasma is 1.7 - 3.5
mmol/L. When there is increase in this level
intoxication occurs resulting in magnesium
intoxication. These include flushing, sweating,
hypotension, depressed reflexes, flaccid
paralysis, hypothermia, circulatory collapse,
sinoatrial and atrioventricular blockade, cardiac
and central nervous system depression
proceeding to respiratory paralysis.
Hypocalcemia with signs of tetany secondary
to Magnesium Sulfate therapy for eclampsia
has been reported4.