Clinical and laboratory markers in the recovery from severe preeclampsia

Objective To examine the recovery from severe Preeclampsia toxemia (PET) in women treated with magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) during the first 24 h postpartum as reflected by the changes in various clinical and laboratory markers. Study design The study population included all women diagnosed with severe PET that gave birth at the Soroka University Medical center between 2013 and 2014, and were treated with MgSO₄ in the first 24 h postpartum. Data were collected from the institutional computerized records. The different parameters were examined in 6 h intervals and were compared using appropriate statistical tests. Main outcomes measures Change in various postpartum laboratory and clinical parameters. Results During the study period there were 132 singleton deliveries with severe PET treated with a 24-hours postpartum MgSO₄ regimen. Most of the women were primigravida and delivered vaginally. Both mean systolic and mean diastolic blood pressure values have shown recovery to normal values after the first 6 h of treatment (P < 0.001). Urine output and proteinuria have demonstrated later recovery (after 12 h). Conclusions When assessing the natural recovery of severe PET features, the earliest parameter to recover during the first 24 h postpartum is hypertension followed by urine output and the proteinuria. Further larger studies are needed in order to confirm these results. Moreover, the use of these parameters may allow using shorter MgSO₄ treatment regimens for appropriate women showing earlier recovery and facilitating quicker mother-baby bonding and emotional recovery.