Simplified Treatment for Eclampsia Prevention using Magnesium Sulfate

Overview

Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are significant contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality globally accounting for more than 40,000 maternal deaths annually. Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) is currently the anticonvulsant of choice for the prevention and control of eclamptic fits. Although two recommended regimens have been internationally accepted as standard regimens on the basis of their proven clinical efficacy in the largest MgSO4 trials, these trials also revealed the lack of understanding of the minimum effective dose for eclampsia prevention and treatment. 

More recently, concerns about adverse events from the use of standard regimens and coverage limitations posed by health resource requirements have renewed interests in identifying the minimum effective dose of MgSO4 for treating pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. In collaboration with Merck for Mothers, the Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization is planning an international, multicenter, randomized non-inferiority trial to test a simpler magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) regimen for preventing and treating eclampsia in pregnant mothers. A number of converging research activities have been identified to inform the implementation of a noninferiority trial that will compare the simpler MgSO4 regimen with currently recommended standard regimens.