title: Magnesium and the obstetric anaesthetist.
abstract: Magnesium is one of the most abundant cations in the human body. It is utilised extensively within the medical world and its role in the treatment of various conditions in both mother and fetus is increasing. This review focuses on the importance of magnesium for the obstetric anaesthetist and looks at the most recent evidence surrounding its use in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, neuroprotection of the premature infant and the expanding role of magnesium as an analgesic and adjunct to anaesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, BC Women's Hospital, British Columbia, Canada. cally_dean@hotmail.com
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Douglas
mesh_terms: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods*; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000379:methods; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D008274:Magnesium; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D000700:Analgesics; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D008274:Magnesium