Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39724363›Full record

SynthesisArchives of gynecology and obstetrics2025

Magnesium sulfate for fetal neuroprotection in preterm labor: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Uzair Jafar, Ahmad Nawaz, Muhammad Zain Ahmad Zahid, Samavia Saddiqah, Fakiha Zainab, Shaharyar Naeem, M Uzair Siddique, Momina Butt, Andrea Etrusco, Mislav Mikuš and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Uzair Jafar *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan. Uzairjafar3@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0003-0737-7444
Ahmad Nawaz *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Zain Ahmad ZahidDepartment of Cardiac Anesthesia, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan.
Samavia SaddiqahDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Govt. Maternity Hospital, Pathi Ground, Lahore, Pakistan.
Fakiha ZainabDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Shaharyar NaeemDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
M Uzair SiddiqueDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Momina ButtDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Andrea EtruscoUnit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Paolo Giaccone" Hospital, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
Mislav MikušDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Antonio Simone LaganàUnit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Paolo Giaccone" Hospital, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveAntenatal magnesium sulfate has been reported to reduce the risk of neurological impairment in fetuses born to women at risk of preterm labor. However, the evidence to support its use is conflicting. We conducted this meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of magnesium sulfate in women at risk of preterm labor as new research is available from RCTs giving insights into MgSO4 treatment among differing gestational age groups. STUDY

designWe searched various electronic databases, including MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform portal from 1990 till 31st March 2024 to retrieve all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the use of magnesium sulfate in women at risk of preterm labor with or without intent of fetal neuroprotection We used the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2.0) to assess the quality of the included randomized controlled trials. RevMan 5.4 was used to conduct all statistical analyses using a random-effects model. Our Meta-analysis was registered with the PROSPERO International Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42024532421).

resultsOur meta-analysis including eight RCTs showed that magnesium sulfate reduced the risk of cerebral palsy without a significant change in pediatric mortality. The change was evident in moderate to severe cerebral palsy. Magnesium sulfate showed no beneficial effect in most of the secondary outcomes.

conclusionsThis meta-analysis found antenatal magnesium sulfate reduces the risk of cerebral palsy with no difference in pediatric mortality between the magnesium or no magnesium treatment groups, which is a positive finding. However, there is still substantial heterogeneity between the studies, so there is a need for further exploration and discussion. The implications of this review include a concern for developing nations where resources and availability of magnesium sulfate are limited. Hence, further studies are needed to determine the exact dosage, timing, and whether maintenance dosage of magnesium sulfate is required or not and for how long.

Indexed as

Cerebral PalsyMagnesium SulfateNeuroprotective AgentsObstetric Labor, PrematureTocolytic AgentsFemaleHumansInfant, NewbornPregnancyRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicMagnesium SulfateNeuroprotective AgentsTocolytic AgentsCerebral palsyMagnesium sulfateNeuroprotectionPrematurityPreterm delivery

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.