Objective The aim of this study was to assess long-term effects for women following the use of magnesium sulphate for pre-eclampsia.Design Assessment at 2-3 years after delivery for women recruited to the Magpie Trial (recruitment in 1998(recruitment in -2001, which compared magnesium sulphate with placebo for pre-eclampsia.Setting Follow up after discharge from hospital at 125 centres in 19 countries across five continents.Population A total of 7927 women were randomised at the followup centres. Of these women, 2544 were not included for logistic reasons and 601 excluded (109 at a centre where <20% of women were contacted, 466 discharged without a surviving child and 26 opted out). Therefore, 4782 women were selected for follow-up, of whom 3375 (71%) were traced.Methods Questionnaire assessment was administered largely by post or in a dedicated clinic. Interview assessment of selected women was performed.Main outcome measures Death or serious morbidity potentially related to pre-eclampsia at follow up, other morbidity and use of health service resources.Results Median time from delivery to follow up was 26 months (interquartile range 19-36). Fifty-eight of 1650 (3.5%) women allocated magnesium sulphate died or had serious morbidity potentially related to pre-eclampsia compared with 72 of 1725 (4.2%) women allocated placebo (relative risk 0.84, 95% CI 0.60-1.18). ConclusionsThe reduction in the risk of eclampsia following prophylaxis with magnesium sulphate was not associated with an excess of death or disability for the women after 2 years.

The quality of resection was a significant prognostic factor, suggesting that surgery should be as extensive as possible. Systematic postoperative MRI allowed accurate selection of SR patients for whom RT alone was enough to obtain high local control. Every effort should be made to avoid RT disruption. Increased delay led to worse outcome.

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