Term Neonatal Outcomes after Maternal Magnesium Sulfate Treatment for Seizure Prophylaxis.

Objective To evaluate term neonatal outcomes after maternal magnesium sulfate treatment for seizure prophylaxis. Methods This was a single-site retrospective cohort study of all women with term singleton gestation requiring magnesium sulfate treatment for seizure prophylaxis and their respective neonatal outcomes from January 2013 through December 2020. Our primary outcome was neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. We compared outcomes between women treated with magnesium sulfate for 24 hours or greater and women treated with magnesium sulfate for less than 24 hours prior to delivery. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI), controlling for variables with a P <.05 based on bivariable analysis. Results Of 834 women analyzed, 173 (20.7%) neonates were admitted to the NICU. Women treated with magnesium sulfate for 24 hours or greater compared to women treated with magnesium sulfate for less than 24 hours were more likely to have neonates admitted to the NICU during their hospitalization (27.3% vs. 18.9%; P =.01), neonates requiring immediate NICU admission (24.6% vs. 18.3%; P <.01), and NICU admission for neonatal lethargy. After adjusting for covariates, only NICU admission due to neonatal lethargy remained statistically significant (aOR 4.78 [95%CI 1.50-15.21]). Conclusion Prolonged magnesium sulfate treatment for 24 hours or greater was associated with increased odds of term NICU admission due to neonatal lethargy.