A comparative evaluation of metoprolol and methyldopa in the management of pregnancy induced hypertension.

Thirty patients matched for age, parity, socioeconomic status and severity of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) were randomly allocated to treatment with metoprolol or methyldopa. The average fall in diastolic blood pressure was significant in the group treated with metoprolol as compared with the methyldopa group (p less than 0.01). There were 3 perinatal deaths in the methyldopa group and 1 in the metoprolol group; the mean birth weight of the babies was higher in cases treated with metoprolol. The results suggest metoprolol to be more efficacious with regard to control of hypertension and fetal outcome in cases of pregnancy induced hypertension.