Intravenous Labetalol Usage among Hypertensive Pregnant Women Admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital : A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract: Background: Hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy are one of the deadly triad. Objectives :1) To assess the efficacy of intravenous (IV) labetalol in severe hypertension of pregnancy. 2) Determine the various adverse effects of IV labetalol on mother. 3) To find out the Foetal outcome to the use of IV Labetalol in the study group. Materials & Methods- It was a prospective observational study which was conducted for a period of 1 year among the Pregnant women. Total sample size was 100. Results: The rate of fall of systolic and Diastolic blood pressure occurred during first 40 min for drug. It is apparent that the target SBP & DBP was reached by the study groups in less than 20 minutes. Out of 100 cases only 14 patients had adverse effects . 94 were live,6 stillborn. Out of 94 live born babies 5(5.3%) had asphyxia, 4(4.3%) had HIE, 2(2.1%) were IUGR and 6(6.4%) were preterm. Conclusions- We found that labetalol regimen is highly effective & can safely be used due to its rapid onset of action, no significant adverse reaction and no adverse effects on foetus.