title: A randomised controlled trial of intravenous magnesium sulphate versus placebo in the management of women with severe pre-eclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the administration of prophylactic intravenous magnesium sulphate reduces the occurrence of eclampsia in women with severe pre-eclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tertiary referral obstetric unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight hundred and twenty-two women with severe pre-eclampsia requiring termination of pregnancy by induction of labour or caesarean section.
  
  
  METHODS
  The women were randomised to receive either placebo (saline) or magnesium sulphate intravenously. The investigators were blinded to the contents of the pre-mixed solutions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The occurrence of eclampsia in the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data of 699 women were evaluated. Fourteen were withdrawn after randomisation. The overall incidence of eclampsia was 1.8%. Of 345 women who received magnesium sulphate, one developed eclampsia (0.3%); in the placebo group, 11/340 women (3.2%) developed eclampsia (relative risk 0.09; 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.69; P = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of intravenous magnesium sulphate in the management of women with severe pre-eclampsia significantly reduced the development of eclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Coetzee
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dommisse
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anthony
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007751:Labor, Induced; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate