The pathogenesis of eclampsia: the 'magnesium ischaemia' hypothesis.

'Magnesium ischaemia' is a term used to denote the functional impairment of the ATP-dependent sodium/potassium and calcium pumps in the cell membranes and within the cell itself. The production of ATP and the functioning of these pumps is magnesium-dependent and is critically sensitive to acidosis. Zinc and iron deficiencies may secondarily impair these pumps and thus contribute to 'magnesium ischaemia' (as does acidosis). This term is two-dimensional at its simplest; it refers to a functional magnesium deficiency, whether actual or induced. It is argued that chronic acidosis is the most common inducing factor. This simple hypothesis can begin to unify diverse pathophysiologies: some spontaneous abortions, aspects of Type II and gestational diabetes and the curious observation that heroin addicts become diabetic. It can also unify clinical thinking about pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and acute fatty liver of pregnancy, as well as the coagulopathy of pregnancy. It makes important predictions about perinatal morbidity and suggests that early supplementation might prevent much pregnancy-induced disease.