Shortened postpartum magnesium sulfate treatment vs traditional 24h for severe preeclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

ABSTRACT

Objectives

This meta-analysis aimed to compare the benefits and risks of shortened magnesium sulfate with traditional 24 h for severe postpartum preeclampsia.

Methods

We systematically searched the Cochrane, Embase, Web of science and Pubmed database from inception till May 15 2019. Studies included type is limited to randomized controlled trial (RCT). Pooled risks difference (RDs), odds risks (ORs), mean difference (MD), standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confifidence intervals (CIs) were used to summarize the effect sizes.

Results

Totally studies included are 7 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Shortened magnesium sulfate treatment has the same risk as eclampsia (RD 0.00, 95%CI-0.01–0.01) and total complications (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.53–1.15), however, significant difference was observed in both groups pertaining to flushing (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.20–0.82), and the need for prolonged treatment (RD 0.05, 95% CI 0.01 − 0.1), Others factors,namely the benefits of shortened magnesium sulfate treatment,showed differences in both groups.

Conclusions

Shortened postpartum magnesium sulfate treatment was as effective as traditional 24 h magnesium sulfate in seizure prevention and total complications. But flushing and needed for prolonged treatment in the shortened groups warrants further research.

KEYWORDS:

• Preeclampsia
• eclampsia
• meta-analysis
• postpartum
• magnesium sulfate

Acknowledgments

We thank all author for their assistance in literature collection and manuscript compilation. We would like to express our gratitude to the reviewers and editors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 81471498].