Magnesium sulphate for women at risk of preterm birth for neuroprotection of the fetus.
Cochrane Database Syst RevSep 3, 2026 (epub)
Emily S Shepherd, Shona Goldsmith, Lex W Doyle et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of magnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection in women at risk of preterm birth. Analyzing data from six randomized controlled trials involving 5,917 women, the study found that magnesium sulphate significantly reduced the risk of cerebral palsy (RR 0.71) and death or cerebral palsy (RR 0.87) in infants up to two years of age, with high-certainty evidence.
Key findings
- Magnesium sulphate reduced the risk of cerebral palsy (RR 0.71; 6 RCTs, 6107 children).
- It also decreased the risk of death or cerebral palsy (RR 0.87; 6 RCTs, 6481 children).
- There was probably little to no difference in major neurodevelopmental disability (RR 1.09; 1 RCT, 987 children).
- Magnesium sulphate may have resulted in little to no difference in severe intraventricular hemorrhage (RR 0.81; 6 RCTs, 6542 infants).
Why it matters
The findings support the use of magnesium sulphate as a preventive measure against cerebral palsy in preterm infants, reinforcing its role in perinatal care. Clinicians should consider its benefits when managing at-risk pregnancies.