A randomized trial to compare the maternal and fetal outcomes and adverse effects of both intravenous labetalol and oral nifedipine

Abstract

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is one of the most common causes of high maternal mortality in India and globally as well. Hypertension in pregnancy is associated with many adverse effects for both mother and baby. Blood pressure reading ≥160/110 mmHg is often associated with increased risk of complications like placental abruption, pulmonary edema, hypertensive encephalopathy, intracranial hemorrhage, eclampsia and other end organ damage with poor perinatal outcome. The present study aimed to compare the two most commonly used drugs, oral nifedipine and IV labetalol in terms of their adverse effects, maternal and perinatal outcomes. Both intravenous labetalol and nifedipine have been compared directly with many other antihypertensive agents; however, literature on their direct comparison with each other for adverse effect is very limited.