Magnesium sulphate in the treatment of ischemic-hypoxic neonatal encephalopathy
Kornacka, M.K.
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska 35(2): 299-308
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-3843 PMID: 11599227 Document Number: 528917
Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains one of the most important neurological complications in full and near full term newborns. During HIE glutamate and other excitatory neurotransmitters are released and progressive energy failure in brain is observed. Toxicity of glutamate plays the main role in brain injury. Glutamate activates the specific receptors that, in turn, mediate an overwhelming influx of calcium into the postsynaptic neuron. The pathological changes are located particularly in hippocampus. Magnesium sulfate has been used safely for years to treat preclampsia. The animal experimental evidence support a neuroprotective role for magnesium in HIE.