Table 2 Adverse effect estimates from randomised controlled trials (Comparisons 2–4)
Outcome or subgroup | Studies | Participants | Method (I2(%))* | RR (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Comparison 2: lower dose versus higher dose magnesium sulphate IM maintenance: treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia | ||||
2.1 Death due to 'toxicity’ |  |  |  |  |
2.1.1 4 g IV LD; 2 g/3 h IM MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [28] | 126 | F (NA) | 0.25 (0.01, 6.05) |
2.2 Stopped due to 'toxicity’ |  |  |  |  |
2.2.1 4 g IV LD; 2 g/3 h IM MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [28] | 126 | F (NA) | 0.05 (0.01, 0.39) |
2.3 Deferred or skipped doses | 176 | F (0) | 0.36 (0.20, 0.63) | |
2.3.1 4 g IV LD; 2 g/3 h IM MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [28] | 126 | F (NA) | 0.43 (0.23, 0.83) |
2.3.2 'Dhaka’ regimen* versus 'Bhalla’ regimen~ | 1 [27] | 50 | F (NA) | 0.23 (0.07, 0.71) |
2.4 Given calcium gluconate | Â | Â | Â | Â |
2.4.1 'Dhaka’ regimen* versus 'Bhalla’ regimen~ | 1 [27] | 50 | F (NA) | 0.25 (0.60, 1.06) |
2.5 Respiratory depression | Â | Â | Â | Â |
2.5.1 4 g IV LD; 2 g/3 h IM MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [28] | 126 | F (NA) | 0.25 (0.01, 6.05) |
2.6 Absent tendon reflexes | 176 | F (0) | 0.21 (0.10, 0.46) | |
2.6.1 4 g IV LD; 2 g/3 h IM MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [28] | 126 | F (NA) | 0.20 (0.08, 0.50) |
2.6.2 'Dhaka’ regimen* versus 'Bhalla’ regimen~ | 1 [27] | 50 | F (NA) | 0.25 (0.06, 1.06) |
2.7 Gluteal abscess (pain, phlebitis, inflammation) | Â | Â | Â | Â |
2.7.1 4 g IV LD; 2 g/3 h IM MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [28] | 126 | F (NA) | No gluteal abscesses |
2.8 Postpartum haemorrhage | Â | Â | Â | Â |
2.8.1 4 g IV LD; 2 g/3 h IM MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [28] | 126 | F (NA) | 0.38 (0.03, 4.03) |
2.9 Pulmonary oedema | Â | Â | Â | Â |
2.9.1 4 g IV LD; 2 g/3 h IM MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [28] | 126 | F (NA) | 0.25 (0.01, 6.05) |
Comparison 3: magnesium sulphate IV maintenance versus IM maintenance: treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia | ||||
3.1 Death | Â | Â | Â | Â |
3.1.1 4 g IV LD; 0.75 g/hour IV MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [29] | 137 | F (NA) | 0.35 (0.04, 3.27) |
3.2 Discontinuation or modification of treatment | 317 | F (0) | 1.46 (0.83, 2.58) | |
3.2.1 6 g IV LD; 2 g/hour MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [30] | 17 | F (NA) | 3.33 (0.15, 71.90) |
3.2.2 'Springfusor pump’ IV versus 'Standard’ IM regimen | 1 [31] | 300 | F (NA) | 1.41 (0.79, 2.52) |
3.3 Clinical signs of toxicity | 154 | R (38) | 0.82 (0.05, 12.56) | |
3.3.1 4 g IV LD; 0.75 g/hour IV MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [29] | 137 | F (NA) | 0.21 (0.01, 4.27) |
3.3.2 6 g IV LD; 2 g/hour MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [30] | 17 | F (NA) | 3.33 (0.15, 71.90) |
3.4 Pain level 'acceptable’ |  |  |  |  |
3.4.1 'Springfusor pump’ IV versus 'Standard’ IM regimen | 1 [31] | 300 | F (NA) | 4.93 (3.59, 6.78) |
3.5 Caesarean section | 154 | F (0) | 1.03 (0.78, 1.35) | |
3.5.1 4 g IV LD; 0.75 g/hour IV MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [29] | 137 | F (NA) | 0.99 (0.75, 1.32) |
3.5.2 6 g IV LD; 2 g/hour MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [30] | 17 | F (NA) | 1.50 (0.47, 4.76) |
3.6 Postpartum haemorrhage | Â | Â | Â | Â |
3.6.1 4 g IV LD; 0.75 g/hour IV MD versus Pritchard’s regimen^ | 1 [29] | 137 | F (NA) | 0.35 (0.04, 3.27) |
Comparison 4: short versus standard (24Â hours) postpartum magnesium maintenance therapy: treatment of pre-eclampsia | ||||
4.1 Toxicity | 256 | F (NA) | 0.25 (0.06, 1.08) | |
4.1.1 Short (12Â h) versus standard (24Â h) | 1 [32] | 196 | F (NA) | No toxicity |
4.1.2 Short (based on clinical criteria) versus standard (24Â h) | 1 [33] | 60 | F (NA) | 0.25 (0.06, 1.08) |
4.2 Side effects | Â | Â | Â | Â |
4.2.1 Short (based on clinical criteria) versus standard (24Â h) | 1 [33] | 60 | F (NA) | 0.17 (0.02, 1.30) |
4.3 'Intolerance’ |  |  |  |  |
4.3.1 Short (based on clinical criteria) versus standard (24Â h) | 1 [33] | 196 | F (NA) | No intolerance |