Magnesium chloride is classified as a pregnancy category C drug by the FDA, indicating that risk to the fetus cannot be ruled out. There is a lack of adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women; therefore, it should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Some authorities advise against
This 2011 study by Cahill et al., published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, employed a decision-analytic and cost-effectiveness model to evaluate the use of magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) for neuroprotection in women at risk of preterm birth before 32 weeks’ gestation. The model compared MgSO₄ therapy to no
This 2021 observational study, published in Environmental International, utilized data from the National Children’s Study to assess the impact of prenatal exposure to multiple metals on birth outcomes. Researchers measured concentrations of various metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, in maternal blood samples collected during pregnancy. The study found
This longitudinal study by Gulson et al., published in Archives of Toxicology (2016), investigates the dynamics of lead mobilization from maternal bone stores during pregnancy and its subsequent transfer to the fetus. Utilizing monthly blood sampling and isotopic analysis, the researchers tracked lead levels in 15 pregnant women from early
This 2013 commentary by Mary Jean Brown, published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology, addresses the complexities of administering chelation therapy to pregnant women with lead poisoning. The article emphasizes that while chelation can effectively reduce maternal blood lead levels, it may inadvertently increase fetal exposure by mobilizing lead from
This study, published in Environmental Research in 2013, investigated the association between low-level prenatal lead exposure and birth outcomes. Researchers measured maternal and cord blood lead levels and examined their relationships with birth weight, length, and head circumference. The findings indicated that even low levels of lead exposure during pregnancy
This cross-sectional study, conducted at Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan, Iran, assessed the association between maternal and neonatal blood lead levels and neonatal anthropometric outcomes. Seventy pregnant women and their newborns were enrolled, with lead concentrations measured in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples. The mean maternal blood lead level was
This study, conducted within the PROGRESS birth cohort in Mexico City, examined the relationship between prenatal lead exposure and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in cord blood. Researchers measured lead levels in maternal blood during pregnancy and in umbilical cord blood at birth, alongside assessing mtDNA content in cord blood leukocytes.
This comprehensive individual participant data meta-analysis, encompassing five randomized controlled trials with 5,493 women and 6,131 infants, evaluated the efficacy of antenatal magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄) in reducing the risk of cerebral palsy (CP) and death in preterm births. The analysis revealed that MgSO₄ administration significantly decreased the incidence of CP
This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed lead concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood among 440 mother-infant pairs at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between maternal and cord blood lead levels (rs = 0.80, p < 0.001), indicating transplacental transfer of lead. Notably, 75%
