Background: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disease characterized by development of hypertension (blood pressure levels above 140/90 mmHg) and proteinuria after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women with previously normal blood pressure, sometimes progressing into a multi organ cluster of varying clinical features such as edema, visual disturbance, and headache and epigastric pain. It can affect the mother's kidneys, liver, and brain. The condition can be fatal for the mother and additionally the child and can prompt long term health problems. The present study was undertaken to compare safety and therapeutic effect of labetalol and nifedipine in controlling pregnancy induced hypertension. Objective: To compare efficacy and safety of labetalol and nifedipine in management of preeclampsia in Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India. Methodology: A medical clinic based forthcoming cross sectional spellbinding investigation was directed on inpatients from OBG department who have been determined to have preeclampsia and admitted to KIMS Hospital Bangalore. Demographic details (Name, age) of patient were collected. Admission, discharge date, diagnosis of the patient and drug data (Brand and generic name) of antihypertensive drugs (labetalol, nifedipine) prescribed, dose frequency, route of administration, dose were recorded. Blood pressure at day of admission was recorded and compare with mean blood pressure after receiving labetalol and nifedipine. Data were analyzed using statistical software. Probability values (p value) less than 0.05 were considered significant. Quantitative variables have been indicated in mean ± SD. Results of continuous measurements are presented on mean and results of categorical measurements are presented in Number, percentage (%). Result: A complete 60 patients who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria were joined up with the investigation. Determination of maternal age, gravida and pregnancy trimester dispersion among patients indicated lion's share of patients 30 (50%) were in age group of 25-29 years, 26 (43.33%) were in gravida third (G 3) and 46 (76.67%) were at their 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Determination of body mass index distribution demonstrated majority of patients 36 (60%) at pre-obesity nutritional status. In this study we found, the mean systolic blood pressure lowering impact for labetalol was 129.88 ± 2.08 mmHg and for nifedipine was 147.91 ± 5.5 mmHg. The mean diastolic blood pressure lowering impact for labetalol and nifedipine was found to be 89.41 ± 4.1 mmHg and 98.33 ± 6.2 mmHg respectively. In current perception, we discovered labetalol was more powerful than nifedipine with P value: < 0.001 (Probability values less than 0.05 were considered significant) which demonstrated huge impact in lowering maternal high blood pressure. In patient`s urine analysis, out of total 60 patients, 29 (48.33%) were double positive for albuminuria pursued by 13 (21.67%) for triple or more positive, 10 (16.67%) for single positive and only 8 (13.33%) showed negative albuminuria. In present study, labetalol only contributed in four numbers of all reported adverse effects including hypotension and headache, whereas nifedipine observed to be purpose for twelve numbers of adverse effects containing hypotension, heart rate abnormalities and drowsiness. Conclusion: Labetalol was safer and more effective than nifedipine in lowering blood pressure in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension/preeclampsia.
