Progesterone therapy in pre-eclamptic toxaemia

Progesterone was the principal therapeutic agent used in 40 cases of pre-eclamptic toxaemia. It was also given to 10 normal pregnant women who served as a control group. A significant fall in both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures was observed in 80% of the toxaemic patients. In all cases there was a marked increase in the 24-hour urinary output with an apparent loss of weight. Serum uric acid showed a significant drop and the urea clearance values also improved. The serum sodium showed an apparent decline while the serum potassium did not show any marked variation. The serum uric acid, urea clearance, blood urea, serum sodium and serum potassium remained unchanged in the control group.