How does magnesium sulfate work for neuroprotection?
Multiple mechanisms may underlie the neuroprotective impact of magnesium. Magnesium affects several pathways potentially involved in preterm brain injury. As a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, magnesium prevents excitotoxic calcium-induced injury (7).
Does magnesium sulfate provide fetal neuroprotection?
First, antenatal magnesium sulfate can be used to suppress premature labor and delay preterm birth, which gives medical professionals time to administer antenatal steroids that can help to reduce the risk of birth injuries (2, 3). Second, magnesium sulfate can provide direct neuroprotective effects to the baby’s brain.
When do you give magnesium sulfate for neuroprotection?
Magnesium sulphate is currently recommended for neuroprotection of preterm infants for women at risk of preterm birth at less than 30 weeks’ gestation, based on high quality evidence of benefit. However there remains uncertainty as to whether these benefits apply at higher gestational ages.
How does betamethasone work in pregnancy?

Antenatal Betamethasone and Lung Function Antenatal betamethasone is primarily used to speed up lung development in preterm fetuses. It stimulates the synthesis and release of surfactant (2), which lubricates the lungs, allowing the air sacs to slide against one another without sticking when the infant breathes.
What is the protocol for magnesium sulphate?
Magnesium sulphate is recommended as the first-line medication for prophylaxis and treatment of eclampsia. The loading dose is 4 g IV over 20 to 30 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 1 g/h by continuous infusion for 24 h or until 24 h after delivery, whichever is later.

How does magnesium sulfate affect the fetus?
Administration of magnesium sulfate injection to pregnant women longer than 5-7 days may lead to low calcium levels and bone problems in the developing baby or fetus, including thin bones, called osteopenia, and bone breaks, called fractures.
Does betamethasone speed up labor?
Conclusion: Betamethasone administration in triplet and quadruplet births is associated with increased uterine contractions, preterm labor with cervical change, and preterm labor requiring tocolysis. There should be fewer than 3.5 contractions per hour to minimize the steroid effect on uterine activity.
How long after betamethasone can you deliver?
Betamethasone is a medicine given to women expected to deliver after 24 but before 34 weeks of pregnancy….Betamethasone Dosing Interval – 12 or 24 Hours?
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Preterm Delivery | Drug: dosing of Betamethasone | Not Applicable |
How do you prepare and administer magnesium sulfate?
ADMINISTRATION OF LOADING DOSE OF MgSO4 Using a 20 mL syringe, draw 4 g of MgSO4 50% (8 mL) □ Add 12 mL sterile water or saline to the same syringe to make a 20% solution □ Give this 4g MgSO4 20% solution IV over 5 – 20 minutes. If convulsions recur after 15 minutes, give 2 g of MgSO4 20% by IV over 5 minutes.
What’s the antidote for magnesium sulfate?
Calcium gluconate is the antidote for Magnesium Sulfate toxicity. If ordered, administer Calcium Gluconate 10%, IV Push, 10 ml over 3 minutes.
What are the three uses of magnesium sulfate in pregnancy?
Magnesium sulfate, or mag for short, is used in pregnancy to prevent seizures due to worsening preeclampsia, to slow or stop preterm labor, and to prevent injuries to a preterm baby’s brain.
Why is hydralazine given during pregnancy?
For many years, hydralazine has been the recommended antihypertensive of first choice for severe hypertension in pregnancy. Its side effects (such as headache, nausea, and vomiting) are common and mimic symptoms of deteriorating pre-eclampsia.