'Single Dose MgSo4 Regimen' for Eclampsia - A Safe Motherhood Initiative

To determine the efficacy and the safety of the single dose MgSo4 ('VIMS') regimen in treating eclamptic seizures and their effect on the maternal and foetal outcomes.

A prospective, observational study was conducted in the period from 2003 to 2007. 513 eclamptic women who were admitted to the Dept of OBG, VIMS, Bellary, received single doses of 4g diluted 50% Mgso4 intravenously, with simultaneous 4g 50% MgSo4 intramuscularly. The recurrent seizures, maternal mortality and the perinatal mortality were measured.

9.16% of recurrence (11.66%-16.49%), 3.3% of maternal mortality (1.8%-4.9%) and 24.8 % ( 21.1%-28.7%) of perinatal mortality were observed. The statistical analysis was done by using confidence intervals, standard deviations, means and the Standard normal "Z" test.

The single dose MgSo4 regimen is effective and safe in controlling eclamptic convulsions. The 'VIMS' regimen can be used at First Referral Units, before shifting the patients to tertiary care centres. This approach has special implications in the developing countries, especially at the primary care level, where the standard obstetric care is not widely available.