Preeclampsia
this is an edited version of the AP article - Dr. Y
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Landmark study shows
magnesium sulfate prevents
eclampsia and
saves lives
EMMA ROSS; AP Medical Writer
05-31-2002
LONDON (AP)
Giving injections of magnesium sulfate, commonly known
as Epsom salts, to expectant mothers who have pre-eclampsia can halve their risk
of dangerous seizures and save their lives, a major new study, published in the
medical journal Lancet, has found. The results were so impressive that the
ethics board overseeing the research stopped the study early because it would
have been unethical to deprive the women who were not getting the treatment.
Pre-eclampsia is characterized
by a sudden increase in blood pressure in late pregnancy.
The World Health Organization says this latest study
settles the issue. The research is also the first to provide reliable safety
evidence. Scientists were worried that, because magnesium sulfate decreases
contractions in the womb, the women would be more likely to need a Caesarean
section, but they weren't. There were also fears the drug would increase
bleeding after birth, and it didn't.
"This study puts to rest any doubt of the benefit of
magnesium sulfate in the treatment of pre-eclampsia and will undoubtedly have a
major impact on clinical practice worldwide," said Dr. Lucilla Poston, a
professor of maternal and fetal health at Kings College in London, who was not
connected with the research.
The final analysis showed that women who received
magnesium sulfate had a 58 percent lower risk of eclampsia – 40 of them had a
seizure, compared with 96 getting the fake drug. Women getting magnesium sulfate
also had a 45 percent lower risk of dying – 11 died, compared with 20 in the
comparison group.
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My suggestion, take your magnesium! And take an absorbable form. You probably
won't be injecting your magnesium, so you would do best to use magnesium
glycinate or chloride, taken orally. - Dr. Young
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