Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and Serum Magnesium Monitoring and Maintenance.

Magnesium plays important roles in many physiologic functions including protein synthesis, bone development, and cell membrane function. There is some evidence to suggest a role for magnesium sulfate as a therapeutic neuroprotective agent along with therapeutic hypothermia in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, but studies are inconclusive. Ischemic insult and hypothermia may both play a role in altered magnesium levels in this population.