Effect of Magnesium Sulfate Given for Neuroprotection Before Preterm Birth: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract

Some observational studies show that, in very preterm births, magnesium sulfate treatment is associated with a lower risk of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), which predisposes to cerebral palsy (CP), but no large randomized trials have been reported. The present randomized, controlled study examined the efficacy of magnesium sulfate in 1062 women having fetuses younger than 30 weeks for whom birth was expected (or planned) within 24 hours. They were assigned to receive a loading infusion of 8 mL of a 0.5-g/mL solution of magnesium sulfate (4 g) or isotonic saline solution in 20 minutes followed by a maintenance infusion of 2 mL/hour for up to 24 hours or until birth. Surviving children wer..