An antenatal mother is admitted with complaints of eclampsia. What will be the loading dose of
MgSO4 given to the patient?

Correct option is B

In the management of eclampsia, the Pritchard regimen is one of the most widely used protocols for administering Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO₄).

Loading Dose in Pritchard Regimen:

• 4 grams (8 ml of 50% MgSO₄ solution)intravenously (IV) over 5–10 minutes, diluted with 12 ml of Normal Saline (NS) or sterile water

• PLUS

• 10 grams (5 g in each buttock)intramuscularly (IM) using 50% MgSO₄, mixed with 1 ml of 2% lignocaine to reduce pain

Therefore, the correct IV loading dose for eclampsia is:
8 ml of 50% MgSO₄ in 12 ml NS = 4 grams IV loading dose

This is then followed by maintenance doses IM every 4 hours as per the regimen.

/ Explanation of Each Option:

• (a) 4 ml in 16 ml NS –
  4 ml of 50% MgSO₄ = 2 grams only, which is inadequate for loading dose.

• (b) 8 ml in 12 ml of NS –
  8 ml of 50% MgSO₄ = 4 grams, which is the standard IV loading dose for eclampsia treatment.

• (c) 6 ml in 14 ml of NS –
  6 ml = 3 grams; less than the required loading dose.

• (d) 2 ml in 18 ml of NS –
  2 ml = 1 gram of MgSO₄; far too low for a loading dose in eclampsia.