Eclamptic seizures - Treatment guidelines: Treatment guidelines

Hypertensive disease of pregnancy in particular that complicated by eclampsia, is one of the 2 most frequent causes of maternal mortality in the UK. The failure to significantly reduce the mortality rate is contributed to by the unpredictable clinical presentation of eclampsia, but also because there has been a lack of consensus about the most effective treatment for eclamptic seizures. Although the use of magnesium sulphate in eclampsia has been standard practice in the US for many years, it was not until the publication of the findings of the Collaborative Eclampsia Trial group in 1995 that magnesium sulphate was introduced into obstetric practice in the UK.Eclampsia is only one manifestation of a multisystem disorder. Recognition and treatment of accompanying problems is essential in the management of eclampsia.The role of prophylactic treatment in eclampsia has not yet been established. A large multicentre, randomised,, placebo-controlled double-blind trial is about to commence which will address this important clinical question.