Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protocol used for management of eclampsia in Assiut University Hospital, Egypt.
Design: This study was carried out in the Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University between January 1990 till January 2010. It included all cases of eclampsia: 1998 cases (1594 antepartum eclampsia, 75 intrapartum eclampsia, 16 intercurrent eclampsia and 313 postpartum eclampsia).
Methods: The regimen included the use of Nifedipine as an antihypertensive, Magnesium sulfate as anticonvulsant, rapid termination of pregnancy and admission to the intensive care unit.
Results: Magnesium sulfate was effective in controlling convulsions in 98.1% of the cases. Nifedipine initiated a smooth decline in blood pressure (P>0.0001). There were 79 cases of maternal deaths (3.95%). Maternal morbidity occurred in (22%) of cases. Vaginal delivery occurred in 27% of cases (most of them were admitted postpartum). Perinatal mortality occurred in 7.9% of the cases.
Conclusions: Combination of Nifedipine as an antihypertensive drug, magnesium sulfate as an anticonvulsant, rapid termination of pregnancy and managing the patients in the intensive care unit resulted in marked improvement of the outcome for both the mother and fetus.