Research Information System
Journal of Surgery and Medicine, vol.5, no.9, pp.843-847, 2021 (Journal Indexed in ESCI)
Background/Aim: Antenatal magnesium sulfate (MgSO4
) treatment is widely used for fetal
neuroprotection in women at risk of preterm delivery. Possible adverse effects of MgSO4
include
respiratory depression and delay in closure of ductus arteriosus by antagonism of calcium channels. The
aim of this study was to investigate the effects of antenatal MgSO4 exposure on cardiorespiratory
complications during the early neonatal period in premature infants.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 340 preterm infants born between 23 and 32
weeks of gestational age. Patients were divided into two groups according to antenatal MgSO4 exposure:
The MgSO4 group (n=186) and the no-MgSO4 group (n=154). Outcomes were acute cardiorespiratory
events (intubation at birth, respiratory support, and hypotension in first day of life), and hemodynamically
significant patent ductus arteriosus (HsPDA).
Results: Mothers in the MgSO4 group were more likely to have preeclampsia and antenatal steroid
treatment, while their infants were younger in gestation and weighed less (P<0.05). Multivariate
regression analysis showed that antenatal MgSO4 exposure was significantly associated with decreased
mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR] 0.45 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-0.81, P=0.008),
hypotension (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24-0.90, P=0.023) and HsPDA (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.28-0.97, P=0.039).
There was no significant association between antenatal MgSO4 exposure and intubation at birth (OR 1.06
95% CI 0.62-1.82, P=0.828).
Conclusion: Among the preterm infants ≤32 weeks, antenatal MgSO4 was not associated with increased
risk for acute cardiorespiratory events during the early neonatal period. It might have a protective role in
helping with ductal closure.