[Inhibition of spontaneous uterine contractions by magnesium. Magnesium tocolysis].

A state of magnesium deficiency has been established in the population of highly industrialized countries in the last few years. This results among other disturbancies, in increasing prematurity. Therefore the tocolytic activity of magnesium was investigated in 29 uterine strips, which were obtained during cesarean section. A highly significant (p less than 0.001) reduction of the uterine activity from 100 to 0 (0-21), 0 (0-0) and 0 (0-0) (median, 20th and 80th percentile) 10, 20 and 60 min after the application of magnesium was observed.