Serum magnesium levels, muscle cramps, and preterm labor

Abstract

It is known that magnesium plasma level falls during pregnancy. Since magnesium has an inhibitory role on myometrial contractions attention has been paid to the role of magnesium deficiency in causing preterm labor. Hypomagnesemia leads to neuromuscular hyper excitability resulting in muscle cramp and uterine hyper activity. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between serum magnesium levels with muscle cramps and preterm delivery so that the high morbidity of preterm delivery could be prevented by early diagnosis of this deficiency and its correction. After getting the approval from research committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in a prospective case-control study 42 consecutive patients with preterm labor (28-37 weeks of pregnancy) referring to selected labor clinics (case group) were compared to a group of 42 non-complicated nulliparous women in the same age of pregnancy who finally had a term delivery in the same clinics (control group). Serum magnesium levels were measured and subjects were interviewed about changes in quality or quantity of vaginal discharge during preceding seven days and presence of muscle cramps during pregnancy. (excerpt)