Gestational Magnesium Deficiency Is Deleterious to Fetal Outcome

Abstract

A number of recent epidemiological findings have implicated magnesium as being essential to fetal well-being. Few studies, however, have examined the relationship between maternal requirements for dietary magnesium and subsequent mortality and morbidity in offspring. The present study uses a rodent model of dietary-induced hypomagnesemia to investigate the effects of magnesium deficiency prior to and during gestation on neonatal morbidity and mortality. Magnesium deficiency during gestation significantly increased neonatal mortality and morbidity. Such increases were associated with a reduced free magnesium concentration in both maternal and offspring blood and an increased incidence of periventricular hemorrhage and edema in newborn pups as observed by magnetic resonance imaging and histology. Animals fed a magnesium-deficient diet before mating but given magnesium supplementation during gestation did not demonstrate a significant change in neonatal mortality and morbidity when compared to control animals. The significant improvement in fetal outcome with dietary magnesium supports the concept of magnesium supplementation during pregnancy.

Outcome of Pregnancy in a Patient with Gitelman Syndrome: A Case Report

“…This is contrary to what has been observed in animal models [9] where gestational hypomagnesaemia was associated with increased incidence of peri-ventricular haemorrhages. The lack of reported adverse outcomes in neonates would support tighter monitoring of magnesium levels with replacement strategies directed to clinical symptoms and not to normalize blood levels.…”

Serum Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Calcium, and Magnesium Levels in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

“…Deficiency of magnesium may possibly be associated with pre-eclampsia, pre-term delivery, and low birth weight [30]. It has been documented that magnesium deficiency during gestation significantly increases neonatal mortality and morbidity [31].…”

Serum magnesium level among pregnant women in a rural community of Haryana State, India

“…The administration of magnesium sulphate helps in the treatment of convulsions (The Magpie Trial Collaboration Group, 2002). Trials have documented that oral magnesium supplementation during pregnancy reduces hypertension miscarriage, prenatal birth and fetal growth retardation (Wynn & Wynn, 1988;Almonte et al, 1999). Limited data are available on the serum levels of magnesium among pregnant women from the rural community of Haryana State, India; hence, the present study was conducted.…”

“…Its deficiency during pregnancy has been reported to be associated with eclampsia, pre-eclampsia, preterm births, increased maternal hospitalization, incidence of low birth weight and small for gestational age infants (Almonte et al, 1999;Makrides & Crowther, 2000). The administration of magnesium sulphate helps in the treatment of convulsions (The Magpie Trial Collaboration Group, 2002).…”