Antenatal magnesium sulfate and neuroprotection

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Antenatal magnesium sulfate may reduce the excessive rates of cerebral palsy in survivors of very preterm birth. RECENT FINDINGS: There are five randomized controlled trials of magnesium sulfate therapy given to the mother prior to very preterm birth which have reported neurological outcomes for the child, in four of which the primary aim of the trial was neuroprotection for the fetus. From meta-analysis of these randomized trials, the rate of cerebral palsy was reduced by magnesium sulfate [relative risk (RR) = 0.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.54-0.87; five trials; 6145 infants). Magnesium sulfate also lowered the rate of substantial motor dysfunction in early child..