Survey on use of antenatal magnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection prior to preterm birth in Australia and New Zealand - Ongoing barriers and enablers.

BACKGROUND

Clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of antenatal magnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection before preterm birth at <30 weeks' gestation.

AIMS: This survey assessed the use of antenatal magnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection to determine if use has changed since the previous survey in 2012, and to evaluate enablers and barriers to use.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to clinical leaders at 29 hospitals with a neonatal intensive care unit in Australia and New Zealand asking at what gestational ages magnesium sulphate was given, if use was audited and any enablers and barriers  to use.

RESULTS

Responses were received for 24 (83%) hospitals. The use of magnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection was reported as 89% (IQR 80-90%), an increase from 80% (IQR 53-90%) from the earlier survey. The majority of health professionals were reported as using magnesium sulphate at <30 weeks' gestation. The top enablers for use of magnesium sulphate were availability of pamphlets, posters, case record stickers and PowerPoint presentations. The main reasons as to why eligible women did not receive magnesium sulphate were imminent birth, the hospital being short staffed and the patient declined. The use of antenatal magnesium sulphate has been or is being audited in 11 (46%) of the hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical leaders at institutions in Australia and New Zealand report that uptake in the use of magnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection has continued to increase since the earlier, bi-national survey in 2012. Barriers to the use of magnesium sulphate identified have institutional and consumer implications.