Magnesium Sulphate for Seizure Prophylaxis in Women With Preeclampsia

Abstract

The article “Do Women With Pre-Eclampsia, and Their Babies, Benefit From Magnesium Sulphate? The Magpie Trial: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial” is the first randomized trial that objectively evaluates the utility of magnesium sulphate therapy as prophylaxis against progression to eclamptic convulsions in a high-risk cohort of women. It specifically evaluates the effect of magnesium sulphate given before and after delivery on maternal progression to eclampsia and fetal/neonatal death. It also evaluates secondary outcomes such as maternal morbidity; magnesium toxicity; side effects of magnesium sulphate; and, for those who received magnesium sulphate prior to delivery, it evaluated complications of the labor process.