Magnesium

Magnesium Articles

CEREBRAL PALSY -

Low-Birth-Weight Infants, Magnesium - Very low- birth-weight infants weighing less than 1500 g are at high risk for neurological disability. One in twenty survivors has disabling cerebral palsy and others have neurologic or sensory difficulties. Most of these infants are premature. Prenatal exposure to magnesium sulfate in very low-birth-weight infants has been associated with a reduction in cerebral palsy. There is evidence of an inverse association of magnesium sulfate with later motor disability. Magnesium may also reduce the risk of mental retardation. Magnesium is usually given either to prevent convulsions in women with preeclampsia or in an attempt to halt preterm labor. Magnesium is antiexcitotoxic, is antioxidant, and alters the production of nitric oxide. Magnesium reduces bacterial invasiveness and toxin release. A question still unanswered is whether the association of magnesium given during delivery of very low-birth-weight infants with a reduction in cerebral palsy is causal. Magnesium may be important to add to a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement. Green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole-grain cereals, beans and chocolate are foods high in magnesium.

"Magnesium Sulfate and Risk of Cerebral Palsy in Very Low-Birth- Weight Infants," Nelson, Karin B., M.D., JAMA, December 11, 1996;276(22):1843-1844. (Address: Karin B. Nelson, M.D., Neuroepidemiology Branch, National Institutes of Health, 7550 Wisconsin Ave., Room 714 FB, Bethesda, MD 20892-9130 U.S.A.) 26208 [gyn, neu, obs, ped]

ANESTHESIA

- Magnesium - In a study of 7 dogs anesthetized with 1 MAC of sevoflurane in conjunction with a bolus of magnesium sulfate at 30, 60 and 90 mg/kg, it was shown that serum concentrations of magnesium increased up to 15.3 mg/dl. This serum concentration did not produce detrimental electrophysiological or electrocardiographic effects. Magnesium decreased heart rate and arterial pressures and prolonged cardiac conduction times and electrocardiographic variables, except for the QTc interval during sinus rhythm. "Effects of Magnesium Sulphate on Atrioventricular Conduction Times and Surface

Electrocardiogram in Dogs Anesthetized With Sevoflurane," Akazawa, S., et al, British Journal of Anesthesia, January, 1997;78(1):75-80. 26875 [car, neu]

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

- Magnesium Supplementation - Twelve patients with New York Heart Association Class II or III congestive heart failure and 12 age- and sex-matched controls were given 10.4 mmol of oral magnesium lactate for 3 months. Magnesium intakes at baseline for all groups were below the RDA and there were no differences in magnesium parameters. Nineteen percent at baseline had normal magnesium retention versus 41% after the study. Supplementation with 10.4 mmol of oral magnesium daily for 3 months did not alter blood levels or magnesium retention. Patients showed lower retention of magnesium after supplementation. The magnesium retention test can be used safely in congestive heart failure patients in whom diuretic therapy cannot be safely stopped, though it is burdensome and lacks sensitivity. The authors consider the use of the magnesium load retention test with a diagnosis of magnesium deficiency in congestive heart failure patients as still premature. "Magnesium Supplementation in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure," Costello, Rebecca Bortz, M.S., Ph.D., et al,

Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 1997;16(1):22-31. (Address: Rebecca Bortz Costello, MS, Ph.D., C.N.S., Department of Cardiology, Washington Adventist Hospital, 7600 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 U.S.A.) 26609 [car]