A Cochrane systematic review has confirmed that fetal exposure to magnesium sulphate given before preterm birth has a neuroprotective role. This review also showed a significant reduction in the rate of gross motor dysfunction in early childhood. Early Preterm birth (\< 34+0 weeks) and very low birthweight (\< 1,500 g) are the principal risk factors for cerebral palsy. Multiple pregnancy accounts for over 10% of preterm births and has a higher incidence of cerebral palsy than singleton pregnancy (twins have 7 times and triplets 47 times the risk of cerebral palsy compared with singletons).
Many of these patients come or get diagnosed as eminent preterm delivery very soon before the real delivery happens and are not able to complete the recommended therapy of loading and maintenance strategy for at least complete 4 hours before delivery. Till now, there is a gap and lack of knowledge regarding the value of loading dose only as sufficient and effective strategy for neuroprotection compared to full therapy, which needs more health costs, longer monitoring and carries more risk for the patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
336
4 gm MgSo4 loading over 20 minutes followed by 1 gm per hour maintenance till delivery
4 gm MgSo4 loading over 20 minutes within one hour before delivery
Faculty of medicine, Zagazig University
Zagazig, Sharqia Province, Egypt
RECRUITINGNeonatal Neurological insult
The incidence of neurological insults during the first year of life (including cerebral palsy, brain leukomalacia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and neonatal seizures)
Time frame: at 18 months age after delivery
Maternal toxicity
Risk of maternal magnesium sulphate toxicity (affected reflexes, respiratory and cardiac), postpartum hemorrhage.
Time frame: from start of therapy, till 12 hours after end of therapy
Postpartum hemorrhage
Risk of primary postpartum hemorrhage
Time frame: first 24 hours after delivery
Late appearing neurologic insults
Risk of gross motor delay, epilepsy, impaired fine motor skills, sensorineural (hearing and vision) impairment, and possibly two years of age developmental quotient.
Time frame: at 24 months age after delivery
Neonatal death
Death within first 28 days after delivery
Time frame: 28 days from birth
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