J Reprod Med
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To examine the knowledge and practice patterns of obstetrician-gynecologists concerning management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. ⋯ A total of 401 completed surveys were analyzed. There was no difference between respondents and nonrespondents in either sex ratio (P = .410) or age (46.9 +/- 0.4 versus 48.1 +/- 0.4 years, P = .131). Most respondents (84.5%) would manage mild preeclampsia on an outpatient basis, and most (58.6%) usually managed preeclampsia independently. There was considerable variation in clinical practice. For example, about one of four respondents (27.4%) do not use seizure prophylaxis during labor in mild preeclampsia. Among physicians who do utilize magnesium sulfate for seizure prophylaxis, the mean standard loading dose was 4.5 +/- .1 g intravenously. More than half the respondents (54.9%) would employ preeclampsia prevention procedures. Most respondents (74.6%) said that there is a role for management of severe preeclampsia remote from term. Intrauterine growth restriction would be used as an indication for immediate delivery by 60.6% of respondents; female physicians were more likely to use intrauterine growth retardation as an indication for immediate delivery (chi 2 = 5.7, P = .017).