Evidence Hub

Osteopenic effects of MgSO4 in multiple pregnancies

Kaplan W, Haymond MW, McKay S, Karaviti LP

Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM, 2006

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effects of prolonged maternal treatment with MgSO4 in infants who were products of multiple pregnancies.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series of infants presenting with osteopenia secondary to MgSO4 administration for preterm labor.

RESULTS: Ten premature infants with hypermagnesemia (4.5+/-0.2 mg/dl), hypocalcemia (6.0 +/-0.3 mg/dl), and high serum alkaline phosphatase (574+/-96 U/l) underwent imaging studies that showed diffuse osteopenia of the long bones and probable rib fractures. All mothers had isolated premature labor, for which they were given MgSO4; (average dose 3.66+/-0.08 kg/ pregnancy over 10.0+/-0.5 weeks). On follow-up (to 9 months), all infants had complete or near complete resolution of the osteopenia.

CONCLUSIONS: Premature infants who are exposed to large doses of MgSO4, especially those of multiple pregnancies, have an increased risk of developing hypocalcemia, osteopenia, and fractures. Our findings indicate that these infants should be identified at birth and managed prospectively.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free