Birth Injury Lawyers

Magnesium Sulfate Halves the Risk of Cerebral Palsy in Pre-Mature Babies

Recently researchers have determined that, in high risk pregnancies, if a mother is given magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salt) when delivery seems imminent, the chances of a premature baby developing cerebral palsy is half that of a premature baby whose mother does not receive magnesium sulfate.

The study was conducted in 20 sites across the United States and involved 2,241 women and their babies. Every woman was at a high risk of giving birth prematurely. Prematurely is considered to be between 24 and 31 weeks into the pregnancy.

In the study, the women either received an IV-administered infusion of magnesium sulfate or a placebo when delivery seemed imminent. The women's babies that received the placebo showed a 3.5% chance of developing cerebral palsy. The babies whose mothers received the magnesium sulfate showed a 1.9% chance of developing cerebral palsy.

The good news is that magnesium sulfate is already stocked in every delivery room in the United States. In addition to being easily accessible, it is also an inexpensive solution. Magnesium sulfate is already given to women in labor for a variety of reasons. It is not generally administered in the same manner as it was in the study.

While the magnesium sulfate made a significant difference in the chances of a premature baby developing cerebral palsy, it did not show a big effect on the baby dying during infancy.

This study was expected to be presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting in Dallas, Texas recently.

If you or someone you know has had a baby injured during the delivery process due to a doctor's errors, contact the birth injury lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 800-220-9341 to discuss your legal options and to determine the best course of action.