Is tocolytic magnesium sulphate associated with increased total paediatric mortality?

Abstract

Because of previous retrospective data,1 we conducted a randomised controlled trial to study whether antenatal MgSO4 decreases the frequency of cerebral palsy among very preterm infants. The Magnesium and Neurologic Endpoints Trial (MAGnet) had four arms. In the tocolytic arms, women in preterm labour at less than 34 weeks' gestation and 4 cm dilated or less were randomised to either MgSO4 (4 g bolus, then 2–3 g/hour infusion) or other tocolytic (unblinded obstetrician's choice of ritodrine, terbutaline, indometacin, or nifedipine).