Abstract

MUNOZ-MARTINEZ, Camilo  and  PARRA-PINEDA, Mario Orlando. Magnesium sulphate for foetal neuroprotection: review of the literature. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2014, vol.65, n.3, pp.215-227. ISSN 0034-7434.  https://doi.org/10.18597/rcog.49.

Objective: To review the existing evidence about the effectiveness and safety of magnesium sulphate used for neuroprotection in preterm foetuses. Materials and methods: A search of the literature was conducted in the Medline, SciELO, Embase and ScienceDirect and Cochrane databases, using the terms "premature birth, cerebral palsy, magnesium sulphate" limited to the following types of studies: meta-analyses, systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines and controlled clinical trials, between 2000 and 2013. Results: The search in the electronic databases resulted in 31 titles. Of these, 19 studies were excluded because they did not answer the initial question, they were narrative review papers, double publication, included observational studies, or they were research protocols. Finally, 12 articles were selected, including 5 systematic reviews, 5 controlled clinical trials and 2 clinical practice guidelines. Magnesium sulphate reduces the risk of cerebral palsy by approximately 30 %, and of gross motor dysfunction by 40 %; however, it does not have significant impact on other outcomes such as perinatal mortality, periventricular leukomalacia or intraventricular haemorrhage. This protective effect is greater in earlier gestational ages. Maternal and neonatal adverse events are generally mild. Conclusions: Magnesium sulphate used in women in preterm labour or in active phase before 32 weeks is an effective and safe treatment for the prevention of cerebral palsy in premature babies.

Keywords : Premature labour; cerebral palsy; magnesium sulphate; neuroprotective drugs.

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