TITLE:
Prevention of Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia. A Systematic Review
AUTHORS:
Sabiha Khanum, Najma Naz, Maria de Lourdes de Souza
KEYWORDS:
Pre-Eclampsia, Eclampsia, Maternal Mortality, Women’s Health, Pregnancy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.8 No.1,
January
25,
2018
ABSTRACT:
Every pregnant woman needs continuous, timely and
supportive care throughout during pregnancy for safe motherhood. The objective
of this study was to analyze and evaluate the available medications and
techniques for the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. The
standard methodology of systematic review without meta-analysis was followed
and only RCTs and systematic reviews were included in the review. Three
electronic data sources (PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane) were searched
for studies, published between 1986 and 2016 on the prevention and control of
pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. 47 studies were finally included in the review, of
which 18 were systematic reviews and 29 were RCTs. Technologies and techniques
used in the included studies for the prevention and control of pre-eclampsia
and eclampsia are Magnesium Sulphate, Aspirin, Antioxidant (Vitamin C, E and
Lycopene), Calcium supplementation, Chinese Herbal Medicine, physical
activities, Nitric Oxide, Marine Food Oils, Low Salt Diet, Garlic, Plasma
Volume Expansion, Low-dose Dopamine, Progesterone, Smoking, and Diuretics. Magnesium sulfate appears to be the most
effective treatment which reduces the risk of eclampsia by more than 50%.
However, its best dose and route are still controversial and need further research. The
knowledge and experience of nurses in properly using the protocols and
evidence-based interventions are necessary for the wellbeing of pregnant women.