title: Magnesium for neuroprotection in birth asphyxia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Magnesium ion gates the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and may protect the brain from NMDA receptor-mediated asphyxial injury. The present study evaluated the neuroprotective role of magnesium in birth asphyxia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty term neonates with severe birth asphyxia were randomized to either the study group or the control group. Neonates in the study group received magnesium sulfate in a dose of 250 mg/kg initially within half an hour of birth followed by 125 mg/kg at 24 and 48 h of birth. Cranial computed tomography (CT) scan and electroencephalography (EEG) were performed for all the babies. Denver II was used for developmental assessment at the age of 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two babies in each group died of severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. EEG abnormalities occurred in 43.75% of the cases in the control group compared with 31.25% in the study group. CT scan abnormalities were present in 62.5% of the control group compared with 37.5% of the cases in the study group. The Denver II assessment at 6 months revealed that there were five babies that were either abnormal or suspect in the control group compared with three in the study group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnesium is well tolerated and does appear to have beneficial effects in babies with severe asphyxia. More data is however needed and a large multicenter trial should be conducted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Services Division, Pt. B.D. Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Geeta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gathwala
authors.forename: Atul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khera
authors.forename: Jagjit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Bharti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Balhara