Antenatal magnesium treatment and neonatal illness severity as measured by the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP).
OBJECTIVE
. To determine if antepartum administration of magnesium sulfate affects the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP).


METHODS
We reviewed a database of consecutive preterm admissions to our neonatal intensive care unit over a 12-month period. Information on delivery indication, magnesium sulfate use, betamethasone administration, neonatal SNAP scores, neonatal serum magnesium levels, and other data was collected. Data was analyzed by Chi-square, Student t-test, and multiple linear regression with P < 0.05 considered significant.


RESULTS
During the study period, 221 cases fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria. Multiple regression revealed a significant association between antepartum magnesium use and improved SNAP scores after controlling for gestational age, glucocorticoid use, chorioamnionitis, and birthweight (SNAP score reduction = -2.25 +/- 0.78, P = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Antepartum administration of magnesium sulfate results in a significant improvement in the neonatal SNAP score. These results suggest that antepartum magnesium sulfate may be protective, or at least not detrimental to the newborn infant.
Deering
Shad H
SH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA. deering95@hotmail.com
Stagg
Amy R
AR
Spong
Catherine Y
CY
Abubakar
Kabir
K
Pezzullo
John C
JC
Ghidini
Alessandro
A
D015331:Cohort Studies; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate