Comparison between serum magnesium levels of asphyxiated neonates and normal cases.

Background

Asphyxia is one the most important causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. It is suggested that magnesium may have a protective role against cellular damage during hypoxic brain insult, or change effect post-asphyxia consequences. Our study was performed for comparison of serum magnesium in neonates with and without asphyxia.

Methods

This study was done in Neonatal Ward of Ali-Asghar hospital, from January 2010 to 2011 in Tehran, Iran. Serum magnesium levels of seventy-six cases with a diagnosis of asphyxia grade 2 were compared with 76 normal newborns. Collected data including gestational age, sex, birth weight and serum magnesium levels were analyzed by SPSS software.

Results

Of 152 neonates, 81 (53.3%) were male. Mean gestational age was 37.9 ± 1.07 weeks. Mean birth weights were 3172.9± 411.20 grams. Mean serum magnesium levels were compared in asphyxiated and normal neonates and between two groups significant difference was found (p=0.01). The odds ratio was 2.188 (with lower1.826, upper 2.626 and confidence interval 95 percent) which suggested a significant correlation between asphyxia and hypomagnesemia.

Conclusion

This study showed that serum magnesium levels in neonates with asphyxia was significantly lower than normal neonates and asphyxia can lead to hypomagnesemia.