Table 1 Adverse effect estimates from randomised controlled trials (Comparison 1)

Comparison 1: Magnesium sulphate versus placebo or no treatment

1.1 Death

5 [17, 19, 20, 23, 25]

14662

F (0)

0.53 (0.26, 1.09)

1.1.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

2 [17, 20]

10795

F (0)

0.53 (0.26, 1.09)

1.1.2 Fetal neuroprotection

3 [19, 23, 25]

3867

F (NA)

No deaths

1.1.3 LD only

1 [23]

564

F (NA)

No deaths

1.1.4 LD and MD

4 [17, 19, 20, 25]

14098

F (0)

0.53 (0.26, 1.09)

1.1.5 4 g IV LD and MD

3 [17, 19, 20]

11857

F (0)

0.53 (0.26, 1.09)

1.1.6 5–6 g IV LD and MD

1 [25]

2241

F (NA)

No deaths

1.1.7 1 g/hour IV MD

3 [17, 19, 20]

7264

F (0)

0.41 (0.12, 1.43)

1.1.8 2–3 g/hour IV MD

1 [25]

2241

F (NA)

No deaths

1.1.9 IM MD

1 [20]

4593

F (NA)

0.61 (0.25, 1.48)

1.2 Cardiac arrest

4 [19, 20, 23, 25]

13977

F (NA)

0.80 (0.21, 2.98)

1.2.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [20]

10110

F (NA)

0.80 (0.21, 2.98)

1.2.2 Fetal neuroprotection

3 [19, 23, 25]

3867

F (NA)

No cardiac arrests

1.2.3 LD only

1 [23]

564

F (NA)

No cardiac arrests

1.2.4 LD and MD

3 [19, 20, 25]

13413

F (NA)

0.80 (0.21, 2.98)

1.3 Respiratory arrest

4 [19, 20, 23, 25]

13977

F (NA)

2.50 (0.49, 12.88)

1.3.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [20]

10110

F (NA)

2.50 (0.49, 12.88)

1.3.2 Fetal neuroprotection

3 [19, 23, 25]

3867

F (NA)

No respiratory arrests

1.3.3 LD only

1 [23]

564

F (NA)

No respiratory arrests

1.3.4 LD and MD

3 [19, 20, 25]

13413

F (NA)

2.50 (0.49, 12.88)

1.4 Discontinuation due to adverse effects

5 [18–20, 25, 26]

13666

F (0)

2.77 (2.32, 3.30)

1.4.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

2 [20, 26]

10245

F (0)

2.69 (2.18, 3.31)

1.4.2 Fetal neuroprotection

2 [19, 25]

3265

F (0)

2.81 (2.01, 3.93)

1.4.3 Tocolysis

1 [18]

156

F (NA)

17.88 (1.05, 304.57)

1.4.4 LD and MD

5 [18–20, 25, 26]

13666

F (0)

2.77 (2.32, 3.30)

1.4.5 4 g IV LD and MD

3 [18–20]

11328

F (0)

2.75 (2.28, 3.31)

1.4.6 5–6 g IV LD and MD

2 [25, 26]

2338

F (0)

2.94 (1.69, 5.12)

1.4.7 1 g/hour IV MD

1 [19]

1062

F (NA)

2.74 (1.81, 4.15)

1.4.8 2–3 g/hour IV MD

3 [18, 25, 26]

2494

F (0)

3.38 (1.97, 5.78)

1.5 Given calcium gluconate

1.5.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

2 [17, 20]

10795

F (0)

1.35 (0.63, 2.88)

1.5.2 4 g IV LD and MD

2 [17, 20]

10795

F (0)

1.35 (0.63, 2.88)

1.6 Intensive care unit admission

2 [19, 20]

11172

F (NA)

0.97 (0.72, 1.30)

1.6.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [20]

10110

F (NA)

0.97 (0.72, 1.30)

1.6.2 Fetal neuroprotection

1 [19]

1062

F (NA)

No admissions

1.7 Any side effects

4 [19, 20, 22, 25]

13322

R (98)

4.62 (2.42, 8.83)

1.7.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [20]

9992

F (NA)

5.26 (4.59, 6.03)

1.7.2 Fetal neuroprotection

2 [19, 25]

3265

R (98)

3.82 (1.38, 10.59)

1.7.3 Tocolysis

1 [22]

65

F (NA)

26.71 (1.64, 435.03)

1.7.4 LD and MD

4 [19, 20, 22, 25]

13322

R (98)

4.62 (2.42, 8.83)

1.7.5 4 g IV LD and MD

2 [19, 20]

11054

R (99)

3.52 (1.49, 8.32)

1.7.6 5–6 g IV LD and MD

2 [22, 25]

2268

F (5)

6.28 (5.36, 7.35)

1.7.7 1 g /hour IV MD

2 [19, 20]

6501

R (98)

3.31 (1.59, 6.88)

1.7.8 2–3 g/hour IV MD

2 [22, 25]

2268

F (5)

6.28 (5.36, 7.35)

1.7.9 IM MD

1 [20]

4553

F (NA)

5.84 (4.80, 7.09)

1.8 Respiratory depression/other respiratory problems

5[17–20, 25]

14098

F (29)

1.41 (1.07, 1.86)

1.8.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

2 [17, 20]

10677

F (0)

1.98 (1.24, 3.15)

1.8.2 Fetal neuroprotection

2 [19, 25]

3265

F (29)

1.12 (0.79, 1.59)

1.8.3 Tocolysis

1 [18]

156

F (NA)

3.16 (0.13, 76.30)

1.9 Absent or reduced tendon reflexes

3 [17, 20, 23]

11241

F (0)

1.01 (0.71, 1.44)

1.9.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

2 [17, 20]

10677

F (0)

1.00 (0.70, 1.42)

1.9.2 Fetal neuroprotection

1 [23]

564

F (NA)

1.94 (0.18, 21.32)

1.10 Respiratory depression and absent reflexes

1.10.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

3 [17, 20, 21]

10899

F (0)

5.96 (0.72, 49.40)

1.11 Hypotension

3 [18, 19, 23]

1782

F (0)

1.52 (1.10, 2.11)

1.11.1 Fetal neuroprotection

2 [19, 23]

1626

F (0)

1.51 (1.09, 2.09)

1.11.2 Tocolysis

1 [18]

156

F (NA)

3.16 (0.13, 76.30)

1.12 Tachycardia

1.12.1 Fetal neuroprotection

1 [19]

1062

F (NA)

1.53 (1.03, 2.29)

1.13 Flushing and/or warmth

5 [19, 20, 23, 25, 26]

13956

R (92)

6.94 (4.19, 11.49)

1.13.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

2 [20, 26]

10127

R (91)

6.39 (2.44, 16.74)

1.13.2 Fetal neuroprotection

3 [19, 23, 25]

3829

R (94)

7.55 (3.39, 16.85)

1.14 Nausea and/or vomiting

4 [19, 20, 23, 25]

13821

R (92)

5.50 (2.29, 13.22)

1.14.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [20]

9992

F (NA)

8.88 (5.46, 14.43)

1.14.2 Fetal neuroprotection

3 [19, 23, 25]

3829

R (92)

4.60 (1.54, 13.73)

1.15 Muscle weakness

3 [16, 18, 20]

10212

F (0)

15.81 (7.36, 33.96)

1.15.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

2 [16, 20]

10056

F (0)

15.97 (7.23, 35.30)

1.15.2 Tocolysis

1 [18]

156

F (NA)

13.68 (0.78, 238.67)

1.16 Drowsiness or confusion

3 [19, 20, 26]

11189

F (0)

2.46 (1.83, 3.29)

1.16.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

2 [20, 26]

10127

F (0)

2.26 (1.06, 4.85)

1.16.2 Fetal neuroprotection

1 [19]

1062

F (NA)

2.49 (1.82, 3.42)

1.17 Headache

2 [20, 23]

10556

F (0)

2.21 (1.27, 3.86)

1.17.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [20]

9992

F (NA)

2.12 (1.19, 3.76)

1.17.2 Fetal neuroprotection

1 [23]

564

F (NA)

3.89 (0.44, 34.57)

1.18 Thirst or mouth dryness

2 [19, 20]

11054

R (42)

2.38 (1.59, 3.56)

1.18.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [20]

9992

F (NA)

3.36 (1.72, 6.58)

1.18.2 Fetal neuroprotection

1 [19]

1062

F (NA)

2.11 (1.72, 2.59)

1.19 Dizziness

2 [19, 20]

11054

R (39)

2.62 (1.63, 4.21)

1.19.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [20]

9992

F (NA)

3.70 (1.84, 7.42)

1.19.2 Fetal neuroprotection

1 [19]

1062

F (NA)

2.21 (1.53, 3.19)

1.20 Sweating

1.20.1 Fetal neuroprotection

2 [19, 25]

3265

R (95)

6.37 (1.96, 20.65)

1.21 Itching and/or tingling

1.21.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [20]

9992

F (NA)

14.98 (1.98, 113.38)

1.22 Blurred vision

1.22.1 Fetal neuroprotection

1 [19]

1062

F (NA)

2.34 (1.32, 4.14)

1.23 Slurred speech

1.23.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [26]

135

F (NA)

3.04 (0.13, 73.42)

1.24 Problems at the IV site or arm discomfort

3 [19, 20, 25]

8704

R (92)

6.34 (3.10, 12.98)

1.24.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [20]

5439

F (NA)

3.05 (2.15, 4.32)

1.24.2 Fetal neuroprotection

2 [19, 25]

3265

F (NA)

9.11 (7.18, 11.55)

1.25 Problems at the IM site

1.25.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

1 [20]

4553

F (NA)

1.49 (1.25, 1.79)

1.26 Caesarean section

10 [16–21, 23–26]

14105

F (0)

1.04 (1.00, 1.08)

1.26.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

6 [16, 17, 20–22, 26]

10096

F (0)

1.05 (1.01, 1.10)

1.26.2 Fetal neuroprotection

3 [19, 23, 25]

3853

F (19)

1.00 (0.93, 1.08)

1.26.3 Tocolysis

1 [18]

156

F (NA)

0.90 (0.45, 1.82)

1.27 Postpartum haemorrhage

4 [19, 20, 23, 26]

10535

F (0)

0.94 (0.87, 1.04)

1.27.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

2 [20, 26]

8909

R (43)

1.31 (0.39, 4.41)

1.27.2 Fetal neuroprotection

2 [19, 23]

1626

F (0)

0.84 (0.61, 1.15)

1.28 Pulmonary oedema

4 [20, 21, 24, 25]

12787

F (8)

1.12 (0.72, 1.74)

1.28.1 Treatment of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia

3 [20, 21, 24]

10560

F (0)

0.95 (0.60, 1.57)

1.28.2 Fetal neuroprotection

1 [25]

2227

F (NA)

2.80 (0.75, 10.53)