A randomised prospective comparison of labetalol and Nifedipine in the management of severe pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Background: The incidence of hypertensive disorders ranges from 2-8% of all pregnancies and contributes to 9% of maternal mortality in Asia and 12% in India [2, 3]. Approximately 70% of hypertensive disorders are due to gestational hypertension-preeclampsia [4]. The present study for the treatment of severe pre-eclampsia was undertaken to determine, the efficacy of Labetalol which is a selective alpha-1 adrenergic blocker and non – selective beta adrenergic blocker used as first line of drug these days. Along with Labetalol in comparison with an age old drug Nifedipine a calcium channel blocker was used. Method: This is a prospective study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vinoba Behave civil Hospital, Silvassa from September 2020 to May 2021 to evaluate the efficacy of Labetalol & Nifedipine in control of blood pressure in women with acute hypertensive crisis and to observe maternal and perinatal outcome in acute hypertensive crisis during pregnancy with Nifedipine and Labetalol 40 pregnancy induced hypertensive patients of acute hypertensive crisis were studied and categorized into 20 patients treated with Nifedipine drug and 20 patients treated with Labetalol drug. Results: Nifedipine & Labetalol are equally efficacious in controlling hypertension in females with severe pre-eclampsia. Nifedipine was seen to be a better drug with faster effects than Labetalol in controlling hypertension. Conclusion: Nifedipine is the preferred drug in case of severe pre-eclampsia to control blood pressure as it is more efficacious and can be used in the peripheral centers due to cost effectiveness and its ease of administration and storage.