Association between Serum Magnesium level and outcome in birth asphyxia

Introduction: Magnesium (Mg) has been found to block the NMDA ion channel under restingconditions, occupying a binding site within the ion channel. The block is voltage-dependent and isovercome during axonal depolarization that occurs with hypoxia-ischemia. The systemicadministration of magnesium after a stimulated hypoxic ischemia insult has been shown to limitneuronal injury in several animal models. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study conductedat the Nehru Hospital, BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur (UP) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ofthe pediatric department. Result: The prevalence of hypomagnesemia was 2.5%. Hypomagnesemiawas more on day 1 and day 3. Severe birth asphyxia had more prevalence of Hypomagnesaemia. Onday one 4 out of 71 patients had hypomagnesemia. On day 2 no patient had hypomagnesemia,while on day three 4 patients had hypomagnesemia out of 75. A significant difference was found inhypomagnesemia on day 1 and day 2 as well as day 2 and day 3. No patient had an antenatal high-risk factor in mother who had hypomagnesemia; there was no significant association between high-risk factors and hypomagnesemia. Conclusion: There should be more studies regardinghypomagnesemia in birth asphyxia and the association of hypomagnesemia with other parameters.