Table 3.

Study characteristics table

Study ID (setting)	Participants		Definitions	Interventions		Other medications
	Length of pregnancy	Diagnosis N =	Pre-eclampsia or gestational hypertension	Interventionist n=	Expectant n=
HYPITAT-I 2009 [18–20] (Netherlands)	36–41 weeks	Pre-eclampsia or gestational hypertension N = 756 Maternal age: median 29 (26–33) years Gestational age: median 38 (37–39) weeks	Pre-eclampsia: diastolic BP > 90 mm on two occasions at least 6 h apart; proteinuria (two or more occurrences of protein on a dipstick, >300 mg total protein within a 24-h urine collection, or ratio of protein to creatinine >30 mg/mmol) Gestational hypertension: diastolic BP ≧ 95 mmHg, on two occasions at least 6 h apart	Delivery by induction of labour within 24 h after randomisation. Labour induced by amniotomy with a Bishop cervix score >6 at vaginal examination n = 377	Monitored until the onset of spontaneous delivery; monitoring of blood pressure, screening of urine for protein with dipstick specimen or with ratio of protein to creatinine (inpatient or outpatient) n = 379	Use of oxytocin orprostaglandins depended on local protocols
Mesbah 2003 [21] (Egypt)	28–33 weeks	Severe pre-eclampsia N = 30 Maternal age: mean 24.7 ± 5.9 years Gestational age: mean 31.1 ± 1.7 weeks	Severe pre-eclampsia: BP > 180/120 mmHg on two occasions 30 min apart; or BP between 160 to 180/110 to 120 mmHg on two occasions six hours apart; > 500 mg of proteinuria on a 24 h urine collection measure	Administered dexamethasone phosphate; 48 h to lapse before either an induction of labour was attempted (50 µ, vaginal misoprostol) or caesarean section after 24 h n = 15	Administered dexamethasone phosphate then managed conservatively with bed rest, observations and nifedipine to control BP. Indications for delivery were imminent eclampsia, deteriorating renal function, spontaneous preterm labour, absent EDF or a non-reassuring CTG reaching 34 weeks n = 15	Blood pressure controlled with oral nifedipine
MEXPRE 2013 [22] (Latin America)*	28–33 weeks	Pre-eclampsia and severe hypertensive disorders N = 264 Maternal age: mean 28.15 ± 6.6 years Gestational age: mean 30.8 ± 1.6	Severe pre-eclampsia: BP > 140/90 mmHg or greater on two occasions at least 4 h apart and proteinuria >300 mg in 24 h urine specimen with 1 or more of the following additional criteria: BP > 160 mm Hg systolic or >110 mm Hg diastolic; proteinuria >5 g per 24 h; or symptoms suggesting significant end-organ involvement, such as headache, visual disturbances, epigastric pain, or tinnitus	‘Prompt delivery’: glucocorticoid therapy followed by delivery in 24–72 h, magnesium sulphate continued until 24 h after delivery n = 133 (n = 106 with severe pre-eclampsia)	Treated expectantly: glucocorticoid therapy followed by delivery only for specific maternal/ fetal indications or reaching 34 weeks of gestation n = 134 (n = 101 with severe pre-eclampsia)	Corticosteroids (betamethasone or dexamethasone Oral antihypertensive used in some centers (a-methyl dopa, nifedipine, or hidralazin)
Odendaal 1990 [23] (Africa)	28–34 weeks	Severe pre-eclampsia N = 38 Maternal age: mean 23 ± 4 years Gestational age: range 28–34 weeks	Severe pre-eclampsia: BP exceeding 180/120 mmHg on two occasions at least 30 min apart with 2 + or more proteinuria on dipstick Blood pressure of 160/110–180/120 mmHg on two occasions at least 6 h apart with 2 + or more proteinuria 150/100–160/110 mmHg on two occasions at least 6 h apart with 3 + or more proteinuria 140/90 mmHg or more proteinuria and clinical signs of imminent eclampsia (diagnosed in women with epigastric pain, severe headache, visual disturbances, nausea, and brisk tendon reflexes)	Delivery by induction or caesarean section depending on obstetric circumstances 48 h after betamethasone. If cervix not favourable, prostaglandin E2 tablets. If still not favourable after 24 h, caesarean section n = 20	Bed rest on high-risk obstetric ward; maternal and fetal condition monitored intensively; BP controlled with prazosin; delivery at 34 weeks unless indicated earlier n = 18	Magnesium sulphate (4 mg IV; 10 mg IM); dihydralazine (6.25 mg IV); betamethasone (12 mg IM)
Sibai 1994 [24] (USA)	28–32 weeks	Severe pre-eclampsia N = 95 Maternal age: mean 22.5 ± 5.1 years Gestational age: mean 30.1 ± 1.6 weeks	Severe pre-eclampsia: persistent elevations of blood pressure (systolic >160 mm Hg or diastolic -->- 110 mm Hg) during the initial 24 h of hospitalization. All had proteinuria (>500 mg per 24 h) and elevated serum uric acid levels (>5 mg/dl)	Delivery by caesarean section or by induction of labour, on the basis of obstetric condition, 48 h after first dose of betamethasone n = 46	Maternal and fetal monitoring on an antenatal ward. If either condition deteriorated, or reached 34 weeks’ gestation, delivery using the ‘most appropriate method’ n = 49	Betamethasone (12 mg at 24 h apart); labetalol (200 mg every 8 h, max. 2400 mg/day); nifedipine (max. 120 mg/day)
Duvekot 2015 [25]	28–32 weeks	Severe pre-eclampsia Maternal age: not reported Gestational age: 30 weeks	Severe pre-eclampsia: Not reported, as only abstract is available	Delivery 48 h after admission n = 26	Expectant management, no more details n = 30	Not reported
GRIT 2003 (Europe) [27 ]	≤34 weeks	Fetal compromise between 24 and 36 weeks N = 548 (n = 262 relevant with severe pre-eclampsia) Maternal age: median 28 (24–32) years Gestational age: median 32 (29–34) weeks	Not reported—gestational age between 24 and 36 weeks, umbilical artery Doppler waveform recorded	Delivery within 48 h to permit completion of a steroid course n = 141	Delayed delivery until obstetrician no longer uncertain n = 121	Not reported

MEXPRE 2013*—additional definitions: Severe gestational hypertension defined as: BP > 140/90 mmHg or greater on two occasions at least 4 h apart and <300 mg of protein in a 24 h urine specimen with 1 or more of the following additional criteria: BP > 160 mmHg systolic greater than 110 mm Hg diastolic; or symptoms suggesting significant end-organ involvement. Chronic hypertension: hypertension present before pregnancy/ before the 20th week of gestation. Superimposed pre-eclampsia in women with chronic hypertension: development of new-onset proteinuria, with 1 or more of the following criteria: blood pressure greater than 160 mm Hg systolic or greater than 110 mm Hg diastolic; or symptoms suggesting significant end-organ involvement