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R. Mittendorf, P.G. Pryde, N. Roizen

Second overview of relationships between antenatalpharmacologic magnesium sulfate and neurologic outcomes in children

In the last ten years, the body of scientific knowledge concerning the use of antenatal pharmacologic magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) has become substantially larger. Several randomized controlled trials have provided compelling evidence that MgSO₄ is the drug of choice for maternal seizure prophylaxis in toxemia. In contrast, the recent Cochrane Systematic Review, as well as other studies, have shown there is no evidence basis for the use of MgSO₄ for tocolysis. Furthermore, when tocolyticstrength doses of MgSO₄ are employed, there is an excess risk for total pediatric mortality (Cochrane Systematic Review and our own previous work). It is conceivable, nonetheless, that low doses of MgSO₄, when used as prophylaxis in some selected cases of preterm labor, may ultimately be shown to be neuroprotective for a relatively small number of children. Unfortunately, the indiscriminate use of high-dosage MgSO₄ for attempted tocolysis in preterm labor is much more likely to cause harm than do good.

Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter

Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 32, 05/2004
Pages: 201 - 210

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