Effectiveness of antihypertensive therapies and maternal-neonatal outcomes in preeclampsia and eclampsia women: an analytical retrospective study from sudan.

Background: Preeclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) are significant contributors to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality globally. While international guidelines suggest various drugs for managing these conditions, their efficacy in the Sudanese population remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes in Sudanese women with PE/E and assess the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapies. Methods: This analytical, retrospective study was conducted at Omdurman Maternity Hospital, Sudan, analyzing medical records of 257 women admitted with PE/E in 2020. Data were collected using a checklist, and SPSS version 25 was used for analysis. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed, and the effectiveness of antihypertensive treatments was evaluated. Results: The mean age of the women was 26.9 ± 7.1 years, with nearly 50% being primigravida. Preeclampsia occurred in 77.8% of cases, and eclampsia in 22.2%. The most prescribed antihypertensive medications were amlodipine, nifedipine, and hydralazine, with magnesium sulfate used for seizure prevention. Blood pressure control was most effective with combinations of nifedipine, methyldopa, and hydralazine, with hydralazine being the most effective (P = 0.001). Cesarean section was the primary mode of delivery (67.7%), and pregnancy termination occurred in 56.8% of cases. Neonatal outcomes showed 82.9% liveborn infants, with a neonatal mortality rate of 5.4%. No significant associations were found between antihypertensive treatment and neonatal outcomes, except for the mode of delivery. Conclusions: Hydralazine was the most effective antihypertensive medication for controlling blood pressure in the management of PE/E, with combination therapies like Nifedipine-Methyldopa being particularly effective. Although antihypertensive treatments did not significantly influence maternal or neonatal outcomes, they were effective in managing hypertension. Further research is needed to refine treatment strategies, reduce maternal and neonatal mortality, and highlight the importance of extended postpartum care.