April 07, 2014

Treatment of eclampsia

The patient if at home or in peripheral health centres, should be shifted urgently to the referral hospital. The aim of immediate management in the hospital are :
  • Clear and maintain the airway.
  • Prevent injuries.
  • Prevent hypoxia.
  • Arrest convulsions.

General management -

- The patient should be placed in a railed cot in an isolated room, protected from 
   noxious stimuli which might provoke further fits.
- Detailed history is to be taken from the relatives, relevant to the diagnosis of 
   eclampsia, duration of pregnancy and number of fits.
- When the patient is properly stabilized, general abdominal and vaginal examination 
   are done.
- If the patient is unconscious, catheter is introduced and urine is tested for protein.
- Pulse, respiration and BP should be recorded half hourly.
- Fluid balance- Ringer's solution is started.
  Total fluids = Previously 24 hours urinary output + 1000 ml (insensible loss through 
   lungs and skin).



Specific treatment -

1. Antibiotic drugs - Ampicillin 500 gm I.M. or I.V. six hourly is administered.
2. Anticonvulsant and sedatives -
    Magnesium sulphate 10 mg I.M. (5 mg in each buttock).
    Phenytoin 200 mg is given orally after 12 hours.
    Diazepam 40 mg I.V.
3. Antihypertensive drugs - Labetalol, hydralazine.
4. Diuretics drugs - Frusemide (lasix).

Management during a fit -

- In the premonitory stage, a mouth gag is placed in between the teeth to prevent 
   tongue bite and should be removed after the clonic phage is over.
- The air passage is to be cleared off the mucous with a mucous sucker after 
   convulsion.
- The patient's head is to be turned to one side and the pillow is taken off.
- Oxygen is given until cyanosis disappear.

Obstetric management -

A. Fits controlled during pregnancy -
i) Baby mature - Termination of pregnancy should be done.
  - If the cervix is favourable and there is no contraindicated of vaginal delivery then 
     done vaginal delivery.
  - If the cervix is unfavourable and vaginal delivery is contraindicated then 
     caesarean section is performed.
ii) Baby premature - Continuation of pregnancy at 37th week of pregnancy.
iii) Baby dead - Expell the dead baby as soon as possible.

B. Fits not controlled -
If the fits are not controlled with anticonvulsant within a reasonable period (6-8 hours) termination of pregnancy should be done.


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