Magnesium Supplementation in Pregnancy: New Results of the Double Blind Study
Magnesium supplementation in pregnancy
An additional evaluation
In order to investigate the influence of magnesium supplementation on the duration of pregnancy, the percentages of pregnant women who had not yet given birth were also determined in both groups. While the number of women who had given birth in the placebo group was already visibly lower than in the magnesium group at 33 weeks, the difference between 37 weeks and 40 weeks is striking. The maximum difference in the number of women who had given birth was seen at 38 weeks and 4 days. There was no difference in the number of women who went past their due date in either group.
Evaluation: Even though no significant prolongation of pregnancy could be demonstrated in the Mg group, this previously unpublished diagram shows that magnesium supplementation did lead to a prolongation in many pregnancies, with a maximum at 38 weeks and 4 days. It also shows that there was no increase in post-term pregnancies. The classification of the study as “controversial” automatically leads many doctors to reject the study, which means that many women are denied magnesium during pregnancy, even though both mother and child would have benefited from it.
Regarding the criticism that randomization could have been undermined by assigning batches to birth dates: If the patients‘ medical history had influenced their assignment to the serum or placebo group, such a clear difference in delivery times between the groups would not have been apparent.
The most important significant results of the double blind Study: Magnesium supplementation in pregnancy
After magnesium administration, haemorrhage and cervical incompetence were observed less frequently. The mothers had to be hospitalised less often. The diagnosis of ‘preterm labour’ was made less frequently. At delivery, a higher gestational age was reached. The longer duration of pregnancy was also reflected in the longer medication. Fewer newborns had to be transferred to the neonatal unit (20/36) and had a better fetal outcome.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 1988