145EFFICACY OF LABETALOL IN SEVERE PRE-ECLAMPSIA AND ECLAMPSIA AS FIRST LINE ANTIHYPERTENSIVE- AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY FROM RESOURCE CONSTRAINT SETTINGHypertensive disorders affect 10-15% of pregnancies and contribute to 18% of maternal deaths. WHO estimates the incidence of pre-eclampsia to be seven times higher in developing countries that is 2.8% of live births, and 0.4% in developed countries. Using Labetalol as a first line antihypertensive is a subject of relevance in low income countries like India where scarcity of guidelines created diversity in management protocol. In longitudinal observational design one hundred and five women suffering from severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia were recruited consecutively. Intravenous and oral Labetalol was given as per Institutional practice. Mean dose required for optimum response, characteristics like age, parity, anemia and subjects with added Magnesium sulfate were study variables. Time required to achieve mean target BP was four and twelve hours for systolic and diastolic BP. Comparison of proportions was done to calculate statistical significance. Eighty percent women achieved target BP in six hours while diastolic BP in 24 hours. Daily mean oral dose required was 585 mg and intravenous dose was 121.5 mg. Response to Labetalol was not statistically different in groups of various age, parity, socioeconomic class and haemoglobin status. Patients receiving Magnesium sulphate with Labetalol showed improved response to achieve target BP(p=0.04). To summarize Labetalol is a well tolerated and effective drug in management of hypertension in severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. To achieve optimum hypotensive action and consequent improved perinatal and maternal outcome, this study highlights that Labetalol is the ideal first line drug to be used in severe pre eclampsia and eclampsiakalpanavmahadik@hotmail.comResearch622016Antihypertensive,Eclampsia,Labetalol,Severe pre-eclampsiaKalpana Mahadik, R Khaparde, J K Saluja, M B Swami,P K RoyDept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, R D Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, India.,Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, R D Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, India.,Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, R D Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, India.,Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, R D Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, India.,Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, R D Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, India.