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Use of magnesium sulphate in Scottish obstetric units
Author(s) -
Smith Gordon C. S.,
McEwan Helen P.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1997.tb10661.x
Subject(s) - eclampsia , magnesium , diazepam , medicine , phenytoin , drug , pregnancy , anesthesia , obstetrics , epilepsy , pharmacology , chemistry , psychiatry , organic chemistry , genetics , biology
The greater efficacy of magnesium sulphate compared with diazepam or phenytoin in the treatment of eclampsia is now generally accepted. We used a postal questionnaire to establish the frequency and nature of use of magnesium sulphate in obstetric units in Scotland. Ninety percent of units responded and of these 90% were either using the drug or intended to do so. There was considerable heterogeneity in the indications for its use and some important omissions in the monitoring of patients receiving the drug. The introduction of magnesium sulphate for a rare indication to units with no previous experience of its use may be associated with significant risks to obstetric patients.