MAGNESIUM-SULFATE AND CEREBRAL-PALSY IN P RETERM INFANTS

in this review of the current literature, we discuss whether antenatal magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) therapy should be recommended for the preve ntion of neonatal periventricular echoabnormalities (PVEA) and subsequ ent cerebral palsy (CP) in preterm infants. In two studies on MgSO4 an d CP, a significant risk reduction was present, which could not be con firmed by a third, In only one of three separate studies on MgSO4 and PVEA, those exposed to MgSO4 were at decreased PVEA-risk. We discuss t he methodological problems arising from small study size, univariate a nalysis, confounding by indication, and residual confounding, and conc lude that no recommendation on antenatai MgSO4 solely for prevention o f CP in preterm infants can yet be given.