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Antenatal magnesium sulfate and spontaneous intestinal perforation in infants less than 25 weeks gestation

Journal of Perinatology volume 34, pages 819–822 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

Evaluate spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP)/death among extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants before, during and after initiation of an antenatal magnesium for neuroprotection protocol (MgPro).

Study Design:

We tested associations between SIP/death and magnesium exposure, gestational age (GA) and interactions with GA and magnesium exposure in a cohort of inborn ELBW infants before, during and after MgPro.

Result:

One hundred and fifty-five ELBW infants were included, 81 before, 23 during and 51 after MgPro. ELBW infants (78.3%) were exposed to Mg during MgPro compared with 50.6% and 60.8% before and after, respectively. Incidence of SIP on protocol was 30.4% vs 12.9% off protocol (P=0.03). GA was strongly associated with SIP (P<0.01). Antenatal Mg dose was also associated with SIP/death regardless of epoch (odds ratio 9.3 (1.04–104.6)), but increased SIP/death was limited to those <25 weeks gestation.

Conclusion:

Higher Mg dose was associated with higher SIP and death risk among infants with the lowest birthweights. Validation of this observation in larger populations is warranted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    B N Rattray, L R Drinker, R N Goldberg, D T Tanaka & C M Cotten

  2. Department of Maternal–Fetal Medicine/Obstetrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    D M Kraus

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  1. B N Rattray
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  2. D M Kraus
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  4. R N Goldberg
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  6. C M Cotten
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Correspondence to B N Rattray.

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Rattray, B., Kraus, D., Drinker, L. et al. Antenatal magnesium sulfate and spontaneous intestinal perforation in infants less than 25 weeks gestation. J Perinatol 34, 819–822 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.106

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.106

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