ROLE OF MAGNESIUM SULPHATE IN THE TREATMENT OF SEVERE PERINATAL ASPHYXIA

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study evaluated the impact of sociodemographic and clinical factors on neonatal outcomes in 250 neonates born at a healthcare facility between September 2020 and March 2021, with data collection occurring over a two-month period within this timeframe. The neonates included 62% males and 38% females, with a nearly equal distribution of term (51.6%) and preterm (48.4%) births. Most neonates had a normal birth weight (64.8%), while 28.8% had low birth weight, and 92% were born in a healthcare facility. Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) was present in 39.6% of neonates, with 53.6% having a respiratory rate >60 bpm and 49.2% having oxygen saturation (SPO2) <90% on admission.Neonatal mortality was 23.2%, with low birth weight (p<0.001) and HIE (p=0.016) significantly linked to death. However, gestational age and SPO2 levels did not significantly correlate with outcomes (p=0.128 and p=0.613, respectively). Early magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) administration within 12 hours was associated with higher survival rates, though not statistically significant (p=0.881). Neurological improvements were observed, with a significant reduction in seizures (p<0.001) and improvement in tone (p=0.013) from day 1 to day 5. findings highlight the importance of early magnesium sulfate treatment, birth weight management, and the presence of HIE as key factors influencing neonatal survival. The study suggests that early interventions can significantly improve neonatal outcomes.

Keywords: Neonatal outcomes, Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), birth weight, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, neonatal mortality, early interventions