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The management of eclampsia and severe preeclampsia with diazepam and dihydralazine


C. Ruoss

Abstract

A study of the use of diazepam and dihydralazine in the management of 10 patients with eclampsia and 29 patients with severe pre-eclampsia was carried out in Central Africa. The results of this method of treatment are compared with the use of barbiturates or the lytic cocktail on a similar group of patients during the period immediately preceding the introduction of this regimen. An improvement was noted both in the perinatal mortality rate (18% compared with 30% previously) and in the prevention of eclamptic fits. No maternal death occurred in patients treated with diazepam and dihydralazine, while two mothers died after eclampsia during the preceding period. The independent control of the blood pressure and level of sedation provided by this regimen facilitated the management of eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia.

S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1459 (1974).

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eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574