title: Maternal and perinatal outcome of severe pre-eclampsia in Enugu, Nigeria after introduction of Magnesium sulfate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is the most effective seizure prophylaxis in the management of severe pre-eclampsia, and its use is progressively spreading in our environment. It was introduced at the pioneer teaching hospital of southeastern Nigeria in 2007. A study on the outcome of its use is therefore necessary.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to determine the effect of introducing MgSO4 on the maternal and perinatal outcomes of severe pre-eclampsia in Enugu, South eastern Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of all cases of severe pre-eclampsia managed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu (UNTH), Nigeria, from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008 - 2 years before, and 2 years after the introduction of MgSO4 - was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of severe preeclampsia within the study period was 3.3%. The mean age of study participants was 24.5 ± 2.9 years. Thirty women received MgSO4 while 47 women received diazepam. Eclampsia occurred only in a member of the diazepam group but there were no maternal deaths. Babies from the diazepam group were more likely to have low 1 minute Apgar scores but the association was not significant [OR = 3.08 (95% CI 0.78, 13.33)]. Longer hospital stay was significantly lower among women who received MgSO4 [OR = 0.32 (95% CI 0.11, 0.93)]. Perinatal mortality did not differ between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MgSO4 is effective in the management of severe pre-eclamptics at the UNTH, Enugu. Therefore, its accessibility and wider use should be promoted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E O V
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Ugwu
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Dim
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Okonkwo
authors.forename: T O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Nwankwo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D054238:Perinatal Mortality; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D003975:Diazepam