Abstract

VIGIL-DE GRACIA, Paulino. Expectant/conservative management of severe preeclampsia far from term. Rev. peru. ginecol. obstet. [online]. 2014, vol.60, n.4, pp.379-384. ISSN 2304-5132.

Severe preeclampsia that develops at <34 weeks of gestation is associated with high perinatal mortality and morbidity rates. Management with immediate delivery leads to high neonatal mortality and morbidity rates and prolonged hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit because of prematurity. Conversely, attempts to prolong pregnancy with expectant management may result in fetal death or asphyxia damage in utero and increased maternal morbidity. Expectant care has been compared with interventionist care in three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that enrolled 400 women. Interventionist care was associated with more respiratory distress syndrome but similar neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and neonatal mortality. Expectant care was associated with a mean pregnancy prolongation of 1-2 weeks, but more small for gestational age (SGA) infants and abruptio placentae. Women with severe preeclampsia before 34 weeks may benefit from stabilization on a 48-72 hour period, to enable maximal effect of antenatal corticosteroids and delivery. Women with severe preeclampsia between 24-28 weeks may benefit from effect of antenatal corticosteroids and observation with possible expectant management and delivery due to maternal o fetal conditions.

Keywords : Expectant management; severe preeclampsia at <34 weeks of gestation; eclampsia; perinatal mortality.

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