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Magnesium supplementation and preeclampsia in low-income pregnant women – a randomized double-blind clinical trial

Carla Adriane Leal de Araújo, Larissa Feli de Sousa Oliveira, Isabela Melo Buarque de Gusmão, Angélica Guimarães, M. Ribeiro, J. G. Alves

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2020

416 participants · 27 citations

Abstract

Background Preeclampsia is the major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Magnesium sulfate is considered first-line therapy against eclampsia and magnesium deficiency in pregnancy has been associated with unfavourable perinatal outcomes. However there are doubts if magnesium supplementation during pregnancy can previne preeclampsia especially in population with high nutritional risk. This trial aims to verify the effect of oral magnesium supplmentation on preeclampsia incidence in low income pregnant women. Methods This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effect of oral magnesium citrate supplementation for preeclampsia in low-income Brazilian pregnant women, i.e. annual per capita income of US$ 1025 or less. Participants were admitted to the study with gestational age between 12 and 20 weeks. Magnesium serum level was measured pre-randomization and participants with hypermagnesemia were excluded. After randomizationg participants received magnesium citrate capsule (300 mg magnesium citrate) or a daily placebo capsule, until delivery. Intent-to-treat analysis was performed. Results A total of 416 pregnant women were screened and 318 enrolled according to the inclusion criteria; 159 for each arm. Twenty-eight pregnant women were lost to follow-up. 55/290 (18.9%) of pregnant women developed preeclampsia; 26/143 (18.1%) in magnesium group and 29/147 (19.7%) in the control group; OR 0.90 (CI 95% 0.48–1.69), p =…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 416 participants or records.

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