Related Experiment Videos
Expectant management of early onset, severe pre-eclampsia: perinatal outcome
D R Hall1, H J Odendaal, G F Kirsten
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaceology, Tygerberg Hospital and University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Objective:
To evaluate the perinatal outcome of expectant management of early onset, severe pre-eclampsia.
Design:
Prospective case series extending over a five-year period.
Setting:
Tertiary referral centre.
Population:
All women (n = 340) presenting with early onset, severe pre-eclampsia, where both mother and the fetus were otherwise stable.
Methods:
Frequent clinical and biochemical monitoring of maternal status with careful blood pressure control. Fetal surveillance included six-hourly heart rate monitoring, weekly Doppler and ultrasound evaluation of the fetus every two weeks. All examinations were carried out in a high care obstetric ward.
Main Outcome Measures:
Prolongation of gestation, perinatal mortality rate, neonatal survival and major complications.
Results:
A mean of 11 days were gained by expectant management. The perinatal mortality rate was 24/1,000 (> or = 1,000 g/7 days) with a neonatal survival rate of 94%. Multivariate analysis showed only gestational age at delivery to be significantly associated with neonatal outcome. Chief contributors to neonatal mortality and morbidity were pulmonary complications and sepsis. Three pregnancies (0.8%) were terminated prior to viability and only two (0.5%) intrauterine deaths occurred, both due to placental abruption. Most women (81.5%) were delivered by caesarean section with fetal distress the most common reason for delivery. Neonatal intensive care was necessary in 40.7% of cases, with these babies staying a median of six days in intensive care.
Conclusion:
Expectant management of early onset, severe pre-eclampsia and careful neonatal care led to high perinatal and neonatal survival rates. It also allowed the judicious use of neonatal intensive care facilities. Neonatal sepsis remains a cause for concern.