Objective Magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄) is widely used during pregnancy. Some authors emphasise that MgSO₄ given antenatally could act as a neuroprotective factor in very low birth weight neonates (VLBWN). The aim of this study was the clinical assessment of VLBWN antenatally exposed to MgSO₄.

Methods The differences in neonatal outcome between antenatally exposed to MgSO₄ neonates (n  =  78) (BBW ⩽1500 g and gestational age ⩽34 weeks) and control group (n  =  293) were analysed. We also determined the serum magnesium concentrations.

Results Simultaneously with the progression in gestational age in the control group, a decline in the cord serum magnesium concentration was observed. In 27% of the newborns magnesium concentration below normal values was noticed. In the study group magnesium concentrations were statistically significantly higher: among 59% of the newborns hypermagnesaemia was observed, although in 6.8% of newborns hypomagnesaemia was still noticed. Among the newborns of the study group >1000 g there were no serious intraventricular haemorrhages, in the analogous control group this diagnosis was confirmed in 12.8% (p<0.05). In a study subgroup <1000 g, the contrary correlation was observed. In group >750 g exposition to MgSO₄ was the factor which, along with an increasing BBW, gradually diminished the risk of death. In addition, a significant influence of therapy with MgSO₄ on a reduced rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia at the 28th day of life was revealed. Antenatal administration of MgSO₄ caused a reduction in hospitalisation time. A significant increase in patent ductus arteriosus frequency in the group with BBW >1000 g was confirmed.

Conclusion The results obtained indicate that maternal MgSO₄ administration could modulate the clinical outcome of VLBWN.

Funding: This project was funded by grant no PBZ-MEiN-/8/2/2006.