Korean J Perinatol.  2013 Sep;24(3):133-141. 10.14734/kjp.2013.24.3.133.

Effects of Antenatal Exposure to Magnesium Sulfate on Neuroprotection in Preterm Infants

• Oh MJ

• KMID: 2280931
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14734/kjp.2013.24.3.133

Abstract

Although the survival of preterm infants has improved with advances in perinatal care, the occurrence of cerebral palsy has increased further, because infants who would previously have died now survive with their cerebral pathology. In several observational studies, preterm infants whose mothers received magnesium sulfate were reported to have marked reductions in cerebral palsy, as compared with infants of untreated mothers. From meta-analyses of 5 randomized controlled trials of magnesium sulfate therapy given to the mother prior to very preterm birth, magnesium sulfate reduced the rate of cerebral palsy by approximately 30% (relative risk [RR] 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-0.87) and moderate to severe cerebral palsy (by 40-45%) without increasing the rate of death in 6,145 infants (RR 10.4, 95% CI 0.92-1.17). Given the relative safety of magnesium sulfate for the mother and the lack of evident risk regarding infant mortality, magnesium sulfate should be considered for use as a neuroprotectant in the setting of anticipated preterm birth.

Keyword

Cerebral palsy; Magnesium sulfate; Preterm

MeSH Terms

Cerebral Palsy
Humans
Infant
Infant Mortality
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Magnesium Sulfate*
Magnesium*
Mothers
Pathology
Perinatal Care
Premature Birth
Magnesium
Magnesium Sulfate