Antenatal Magnesium Sulfate for Neuroprotection Before Preterm Birth?

Abstract

Preterm infants are at increased risk for serious, lifelong neurologic abnormalities such as cerebral palsy.1,2 As the survival of preterm infants has improved with advances in perinatal care,2 the occurrence of cerebral palsy has increased further, since infants who would previously have died now survive with their cerebral pathology. Currently, more than 30% of children with cerebral palsy are born preterm.1 Compounding these concerns are the trends, particularly in the United States, to increases in preterm birth.3 An emphasis on improving the survival of very preterm infants without associated strategies to prevent preterm birth or the neurologic disorders associated . . .