Umbilical cord serum magnesium level and neonatal outcome in group of neonates at 30-34 gestational age

Aim of study. To find correlation between the umbilical serum cord magnesium concentration in a group of newborns without antenatal exposition to magnesium sulphate and the neonatal outcome as well as to compare the neonatal outcome of babies with maternal magnesium sulphate treatment. Results. In a group of 82 newborns (31-34 GA; birth body weight <1500 g) the umbilical cord serum magnesium concentrations was assayed. Three subgroups of neonates were set apart: first group (N) with a normal magnesium level (n=28), the second group (n=19) with magnesium concentration <0.75 mmol/dl (D), and the third group (Mg) consisting of 35 newborn antenatally exposed to magnesium sulphate. These groups were similar (no statistical significances) in terms of birth body weight, gestational age, Apgar score and umbilical blood pH. Gradual decrease in magnesium concentration in relation to increase of gestational age was observed. In groups: D, N, Mg, gradual reduction of hospitalization time (p<0.05), risk of death, time of respiratory support, time of oxygen therapy, rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, periventricular leucomalation (p<0.05) were observed respectively. Likewise, a rate of serious neurological complication (IVH/ PVL) in group D was higher in comparison to groups N and Mg (although without statistical sig-nificances). Conclusion. Our results confirm that umbilical cord magnesium concentration in VLBW neonates have an influence on neonatal outcome. Although it is premature to recommend ordering maternal magnesium sulphate treatment to improve neonatal outcome, in our opinion the data presented here should at least induce magnesium concentration monitoring in pregnant women and magnesium deficiency correction.