title: Magnesium sulfate for the prevention of cerebral palsy.
abstract: Three large, randomized placebo-controlled trials of antenatal magnesium sulfate (MgSO(4)) for fetal neuroprotection have recently been conducted and reported. The results of these trials provide strong support for the utilization of MgSO(4) to lower the risk of cerebral palsy among the survivors of early preterm birth. In the United States, the use of MgSO(4) for fetal neuroprotection has the potential to prevent 1000 cases of handicapping cerebral palsy annually.
authors.affiliation: Center for Women's Reproductive Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35249, USA. drouse@uab.edu
authors.forename: Dwight J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Rouse
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate