II. Management: Seizure Prophylaxis
- See Magnesium Sulfate
- Magnesium Sulfate offers best PIH Seizure prevention
- Reference
III. Management: Seizure
- Anticonvulsant Medications
- Magnesium Sulfate (if not already started)
- Loading dose: 4 to 6 grams IV over 15-20 minutes
- Maintenance: 2 to 3 grams per hour
- Consider rebolus of 2 grams if Seizure recurs (do not exceed >8 g bolus between prior bolus and rebolus)
- Obtain Serum Magnesium level at 4 hours
- Monitor for Magnesium toxicity (e.g. respiratory depression, Hypotension, loss of Deep Tendon Reflexes)
- Anticonvulsant not recommended routinely in Eclampsia
- Magnesium Sulfate is the best option for Seizure control
- Concurrent anticonvulsants depresses respirations
- Avoid Polypharmacy if possible
- Consider anticonvulsant if Seizure is prolonged (caution adverse fetal effects)
- Amobarbital 250 mg IV in 10cc NS over 3 minutes
- Diazepam 5-10 mg IV slow push
- Pentobarbital 125 mg IV
- Magnesium Sulfate (if not already started)
- Airway and respiratory management
- See ABC Management
- Protect airway from aspiration
- Place patient in left lateral decubitus position
- Suction oral secretions
- Anesthesia or other skilled clinician (e.g. emergency medicine) at bedside for possible intubation
- Consider Oral Airway
- Supplemental Oxygen
- Arterial Blood Gas
- Avoid Sodium Bicarbonate unless pH <7.10
- Prevent injury
- Padding on side rails of bed
- Other post-Seizure measures
- Foley Catheter
- Internal fetal monitor (Internal Scalp electrode)
- Consider Central Venous Pressure catheter
- Single Seizure does not mandate cesarean delivery
IV. Complications
- Maternal mortality
- Mortality in U.S.: 0.4% of Eclampsia cases
- Mortality in Mexico: 14% of ecamplsia cases
- Abruptio Placenta: 5.5 to 23% of Eclampsia cases
- Fetal anoxia with severe neurologic deficits: 7%
V. References
- Fontaine (2000) in ALSO, B:1-36
- Sibai in Gabbe (2002) Obstetrics, p. 945-74
- (2000) Am J Obstet Gynecol 183(1):S1-22 [PubMed]
- Zamorski (2001) Clin Fam Pract 3:329-47 [PubMed]