Why Premature Babies Should Receive Adequate Protection with Magnesium Sulphate?
Did you know that most preterm babies or babies born before 37 weeks are at high risk for various health conditions, including cerebral palsy? Well, research shows that these risks can be reduced if the baby’s mother is given a magnesium sulphate infusion before giving birth. According to a recent study, if a woman who is about to deliver a premature baby is given this treatment; it will reduce the chances of having a baby born with cerebral palsy by over 30%.
Our medical malpractice lawyer Halifax understands that no childbirth is safe. Any delivery can result in catastrophic and life-changing birth injuries to the premature baby, which may result in cerebral palsy, brain disorder, or other types of brain injuries.
Magnesium Sulphate
A premature baby’s brain is more vulnerable to damage. This is likely to occur especially when there is bleeding in the brain. Studies have shown that between 15-20% of preterm babies are prone to brain cell damage.
How Magnesium Sulphate helps protect the brain of premature babies is still a mystery. It is believed that magnesium sulphate can keep blood pressure in the newborn baby more stable. It is also believed that it can prevent various chemicals from damaging the cells in the baby’s brain.
Cerebral Palsy
About 9% of babies born prematurely are affected by cerebral palsy. This condition affects the way the body moves, causing stiffness or reduced movement in babies’ limbs. Sometimes the affected child may have uncontrollable, abnormal, or involuntary movement associated with Athetoid cerebral palsy.
Since cerebral palsy affects the way the body moves, it is usually diagnosed when a child is unable to use their legs, arms, or hands like their age mates. The brain is responsible for coordinating body movements and damage to the baby’s brain during early childhood, birth, or pregnancy, can cause cerebral palsy.
Magnesium Sulphate Infusions
A recent study was conducted on 6,000 premature babies. The babies were monitored from the day they were born to a period of 18-24 months. The study found that premature babies born to mothers who received magnesium sulphate infusions had a relative risk reduction of 0.68, meaning that they were more unlikely to develop cerebral palsy by over 30%, compared to those whose mothers didn’t receive it.
This is good news for healthcare providers, especially those who care for mothers who give birth to premature babies. Magnesium sulphate infusions have the potential to reduce the risk of cerebral palsy in preterm babies. This treatment should be widely considered and given to mothers who are about to give birth to premature babies in the next 4-24 hours.
If the membranes around the baby have ruptured prematurely or the neck of the womb (cervix) is dilated, this is a sign of premature birth. If those providing medical care for mothers who’re about to deliver suspects this, they should give the infusions through an intravenous (IV) line into the mother’s vein. Also, the magnesium sulphate infusions may be given as a single dose over half an hour. The additional infusion may continue until delivery.
Even though serious side effects are rare, the mother may feel flushed and nauseous or notice an increase in body temperature after receiving the magnesium sulphate infusions. However, the treatment is considered safe for both the mother and the baby.
Our medical malpractice lawyer Halifax advises mothers with certain heart conditions or those who are allergic to magnesium sulphate to avoid this form of treatment.
The Bottom Line
Our birth injury lawyer Halifax is ready to help you with any questions or concerns you may have about whether your premature baby received adequate protection from the infusions before birth or not.
Our experienced legal team will listen to your concerns and review whether or not your child is eligible for fair compensation as a result of a birth-related injury. Talk to our team now for a free consultation.