Marked hypocalcemia after tocolytic magnesium sulphate therapy.
Symptomatic hypocalcemia has been reported infrequently in association with magnesium sulfate (MgSO (4)) tocolytic therapy. We report a 38-year-old woman who presented in preterm labor at 24 3/7 weeks. Twenty hours after starting MgSO (4), she developed chest pain. Studies revealed therapeutic serum Mg level, total serum calcium (Ca) = 5.5 mg/dL, 24-hour urine Ca = 763.9 mg, and low serum uric acid and phosphate levels. All studies corrected day 1 postpartum; urine Ca level corrected on day 2. Even short courses of MgSO (4) can result in severe hypocalcemia, raising the question of whether Ca levels should be routinely monitored.
Nassar
Anwar H
AH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Salti
Ibrahim
I
Makarem
Nisrine N
NN
Usta
Ihab M
IM
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate