Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College (Dec 2018)
Labetalol Versus Methyldopa: Comparison of Frequency of Small for Gestational Age in the Treatment of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
Abstract
Background: To compare the frequency of small for gestational age(SGA) babies between women treated with labetalol or methyldopa for pregnancy induced hypertension. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial patients were divided into Labetalol and Methyldopa groups. Both drugs were administered as oral preparation. Patients were followed during their pregnancy till their delivery time and then baby weight was checked at the time of delivery and plotted against gestational age to detect small for gestational age babies. Results: The frequency of SGA neonates was significantly higher in Group-A (labetalol) in comparison to Group-B. (Methyldopa) i.e. Group-A: 37.8% vs. Group-B 13.3%(p-value=0.008). In all age groups i.e. 35 years, frequency of SGA was higher in Group-A (Labetalol group) women but statistical significance was not seen in any age group. There was no statistically significant effect of parity on frequency of SGA. Women who were started treatment early i-e at 20-25weeks and 26-30weeks of gestation had more SGA babies in Labetalol group(p=0.033,P=0.032) . Although more number of SGA babies in Labetalol group were delivered at <34 weeks gestation but difference was not statistically significant (p=0.264) Conclusion: Methyldopa is more effective in pregnant women in terms of low incidence of small for gestational age babies as compared to labetalol.
