Cerebral Palsy Risk Reduced in Premature Babies by use of Magnesium Sulfate
The risk of a child developing cerebral palsy may be cut by nearly 50 percent by administering magnesium sulfate to women just before delivery. The reason magnesium sulfate reduces instances of cerebral palsy is currently unknown however, researchers at University of North Carolina (UNC) are currently investigating the link.
This is a crucial finding because magnesium sulfate is inexpensive and readily available at most hospitals. Therefore, it is likely that doctors will be able to administer magnesium sulfate to a significant number of mothers that deliver their child prematurely. Furthermore, doctors could begin using the treatment immediately as FDA approval is not necessary for the use of magnesium sulfate according to Dr. John Thorp, co-author of the study and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Thorp went further to say that “This is one of the most promising breakthroughs in the management of high-risk pregnancies in more than 30 years,”
Below please find a Video from UNC medical center on magnesium sulfate and cerebral palsy.
