Table 5 Hospital management of clinically unstable mild preeclampsia at the secondary level of care Please also refer to Figure 5.
Mother | Foetus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Monitoring: The patient must be hospitalised. | ||||
Clinical | Exams as often as needed | Clinical | Exams as often as needed | |
Blood pressure Weight Look for CNS, renal, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal symptoms at every visit | Blood count (including platelet count) Urinalysis (proteinuria) every 24 hours or Dipstick every eight hours Liver Function Tests (Bilirrubin, AST, ALT) | Foetal movements Foetal cardiac rate | Cardiotocography: No-stress testing Ultrasonography to measure foetal growth and status of the placenta (site where the placenta is inserted and maturity) and amniotic fluid volume | |
Treatment | Treatment | |||
Bed rest | Anti-hypertensives (controversial) Methyldopa Nifedipine Hydralazine | Anticonvulsants: Magnesium sulphate | Induction of pulmonary maturity using dexamethasone or betamethasone in patients with gestational age less than 34 weeks. | |