Authors

1Javier Manrique Tejedor, 2María Inmaculada Figuerol Calderó, 3Eduardo Martínez Martín, 4Dolores Macarro Ruiz, 5Paloma Martínez Galán, 6Lorena Miguélez Llamazares

Position

1Enfermero especialista en Obstetricia y Ginecología (matrona). Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova de Lérida. 2Enfermera. Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova de Lérida. 3Enfermero especialista en Obstetricia y Ginecología (matrona). Hospital General de Segovia. 4Enfermera especialista en Obstetricia y Ginecología (matrona). Hospital Virgen del Puerto de Plasencia (Cáceres). 5Enfermera especialista en Obstetricia y Ginecología (matrona). Hospital Virgen de la Salud de Toledo. 6Enfermera especialista en Obstetricia y Ginecología (matrona). Hospital General de Segovia. Hospital General de Segovia.

Contact address

Javier Manrique Tejedor. C/ Rota de Calatañazor, 10, 1ºB. 42001 Soria.

Contact email: javi_mt_53@hotmail.com

Abstract

Objectives: to learn about the scientific evidence available on the effects of magnesium sulphate on fetal neurological protection.
Method: a narrative review through the main databases (PubMed/Medline, Uptodate, Scielo, Cuiden, Cochrane Plus, Embase, Academic Google and GuiaSalud). The search was limited to the English and Spanish languages, and between the years 2005 and 2015, though some previous documents were also included.
Results: after various observational studies where magnesium sulphate was administered as tocolytic drug, the likelihood of a neuroprotective effect was observed. Three subsequent random clinical trials and some reviews have demonstrated that the administration of magnesium sulphate in < 32-week pregnancies with imminent preterm birth will reduce the risk of cerebral palsy, motor dysfunction, and mortality, in preterm newborns. Besides, it is considered a safe medication both for mother and fetus.
Conclusions: after the excellent study outcomes, and considering the importance of problems associated with preterm birth, it is recommended to use antenatal magnesium sulphate as fetal neuroprotector, but it is necessary to conduct more studies in order to obtain solid scientific evidence on the most adequate dosing.

Keywords:

Cerebral palsy; magnesium sulphate; neuroprotective agents; fetal; pregnancy; preterm; neuroprotection

Versión en Español

Título:

Utilización del sulfato de magnesio anteparto para la neuroprotección fetal