Publication:

Effect of methyldopa and labetolol on fetal outcomes in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Background Hypertensive disorders represent the most common medical complication of pregnancy, with a reported incidence of 6-10% and accounts for 15% of maternal mortality. Effective management of pregnancy induced hypertension is vital to improve maternal and foetal outcomes. As data are scarce on comparison of labetolol and methyldopa this study was undertaken. The objectives of the study were to evaluate effect of both drugs on fetal outcomes.

Methods A comparative observational Study is designed. 30 patients who received Methyldopa and 30 patients who received Labetolol were included in the study. Methyldopa was started at a dose of 250-500mg thrice daily while Labetolol was started at a dose of 100-400mg twice daily. Patients were followed up during antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum period for perinatal outcomes.

Results Intra Uterine Growth Retarded (IUGR) babies were 10% in Methyldopa group and 6.66% in Labetolol group. 20% of new borns in Methyldopa group and 10% of new borns in Labetolol group got admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) because of distress. 13.3% of new borns in Methyldopa group are small for gestational age(SGA), whereas only 3.33% in Labetolol group are small for gestational age.

Conclusions Chances of development of IUGR, NICU admissions of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome and small for gestational age babies were more with methyldopa compared to Labetolol, but there was no statistically significant difference between two drugs.