Postpartum intravenous dexamethasone for severely preeclamptic patients without hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome: a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
We compared maternal outcomes for patients with severe preeclampsia who were managed postpartum with or without adjunctive intravenous dexamethasone.


METHODS
This study was a randomized, blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial comparing the use of dexamethasone postpartum (10 mg-10 mg-5 mg-5 mg intravenously every 12 hours) with a saline control in patients with severe preeclampsia. The Student t and chi(2) tests were used for data analysis, with P < .05 considered significant.


RESULTS
Data from 157 patients (77 patients receiving dexamethasone, 80 patients receiving placebo) who were treated during 2000-2003 were analyzed. Demographics, diagnostic criteria, baseline laboratory values, and postpartum outcomes were similar between groups. Although dexamethasone-treated patients had fewer returns (6.5% compared with 11.3%) to the labor/delivery/recovery unit for uncontrolled hypertension than control patients, no significant differences were found in blood pressure, antihypertensive requirements, laboratory values, length of hospitalization, interval urine output at 48 hours postpartum, or major maternal morbidity. Two control patients developed hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Adjunctive use of intravenous dexamethasone for postpartum patients with severe preeclampsia does not reduce disease severity or duration.


METHODS
I.
Barrilleaux
P Scott
PS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216-4505, USA.
Martin
James N
JN
Klauser
Chad K
CK
Bufkin
Laura
L
May
Warren L
WL
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone