Uncertainty about the role and choice of prophylactic anticonvulsant treatment for preeclampsia is reflected in the variation in clinical practice. For example, an increasing proportion of obstetricians never use prophylactic anticonvulsants (16% in 1991 v 23% in 1996).2 Among those who do there is no consensus on which agent to use or when prophylaxis is appropriate (data not shown). One aim of our survey was to assess the feasibility of conducting a multicentre, randomised, placebo controlled trial of magnesium sulphate versus placebo in women with pre-eclampsia. Over half of the respondents indicated their interest in collaborating in such a study compared with only 3% of respondents in the 1991 survey.2 This confirms the increased uncertainty about the role of anticonvulsants in women with pre-eclampsia.We thank the respondents to our questionnaire.

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