Study | Participants and comparison | Adverse effect | Estimates | Effect estimate (95% CI) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Magnesium sulphate versus no magnesium sulphate | ||||
Chowdhury 2000 [46] | 630 women (E). Low dose IV (4 g IV LD over 2–3 mins; 5 g/8 h IV MD) (n = 150) v Pritchard’s IM regimen (4 g IV and 10 g IM LD; 5 g/4 h IM MD) (n = 480) | Major adverse effects; respiratory depression | 0.0% v 0.0% | NA |
 |  | Absent knee jerks and oliguria; stopped dosing due to adverse effects | 0.0% v 3.2% | RR 0.10 (0.01, 1.71) |
 |  | Pain at injection site | 0.0% v 55.0% | RR 0.01 (0.00, 0.10) |
Mahajan 2007 [47] | 95 women (E). 1. (2 g IV and 4 g IM LD; 4 g IM/4 h) (n = 37) v 2. (2 g IV and 8 g IM LD; 4 g IM/4 h) (n = 58) | Respiratory depression | 0.0% v 0.0% | NA |
 |  | Absent knee jerks and MD omitted | 56.8% v 31.0% | RR 1.83 (1.14, 2.94) |
Young 1977 [48] | 144 women (PE or E). 1. (10 g IM LD; 2 g slow IV 'push’ with repeated doses every 1–2 h) (n = 97) v 2. (10 g IM LD; continuous IV 1 g/h) (n = 47) | Death | 0.0% v 0.0% | NA |
 |  | Heat and flushing | 92.8% v 0.0% | RR 88.65 (5.62, 1397.80) |
 |  | Respiratory effects (slowing respirations to complete apnoea) | 79.4% v 0.0% | RR 75.92 (4.81, 1198.55) |
Shoaib 2009 [49] | 100 women (severe PE). LD only (4 g IV and 10 g IM LD) (n = 50) v Pritchard’s IM regimen (4 g IV and 10 g IM LD; 5 g/4 h IM) (n = 50) | Death; respiratory failure or distress; cardiac arrest | 0.0% v 0.0% | NA |
 |  | Nausea and vomiting | 10.0% v 34.0% | RR 0.29 (0.12, 0.74) |
 |  | Warmth and flushing | 70.0% v 80.0% | RR 0.88 (0.70, 1.10) |
 |  | Dizziness | 20.0% v 56.0% | RR 0.36 (0.19, 0.65) |
 |  | Irritation at the injection site | 0.0% v 20.0% | RR 0.05 (0.00, 0.79) |
 |  | Caesarean | 12.0% v 30.0% | RR 0.40 (0.17, 0.95) |
Palmer 2009 [50] | 76 women (PE). New protocol (20% solution, separate LD and MD bags) (n = 29) v Old protocol (2-8% solution, same LD and MD bag) (n = 47) | Phlebitis; signs or symptoms of toxicity | 0.0% v 0.0% | NA |
 |  | Calcium gluconate (for hypocalcaemia) | 3.5% v 4.3% | RR 0.81 (0.08, 8.54) |
 |  | Errors (failure to reset pump after LD) | 0.0% v 4.3% | RR 0.32 (0.02, 6.44) |
 |  | Errors (change in drug order) | 3.5% v 2.1% | RR 1.62 (0.11, 24.92) |
Nassar 2006 [51] | 155 women (PTL). 1. Treatment for > 48 hours (n = 78) v 2. Treatment for < 48 hours (n = 77) | ≥ 1 adverse effect | 30.8% v 15.6% | OR 2.41 (1.10, 5.26) |
 |  | Discontinuation due to adverse effects | 6.4% v 0.0% | OR 11.60 (0.63, 213.47) |
 |  | Chest tightness | 19.2% v 11.8% | OR 1.80 (0.74, 4.40) |
 |  | Visual disturbances | 6.4% v 1.3% | OR 5.21 (0.59, 45.63) |
 |  | Vulvar oedema | 1.3% v 0.0% | OR 3.00 (0.12, 74.79) |
 |  | Pulmonary oedema | 6.4% v 2.6% | OR 2.57 (0.48, 13.66) |
 |  | Ileus | 3.8% v 1.3% | OR 3.04 (0.31, 29.89) |
 |  | Osteopenia | 2.6% v 0.0% | OR 5.07 (0.24, 107.25) |
 |  | Hypocalcaemia (< 8.5 mg/dl) | 24.6% v 15.6% | OR 1.77 (0.74, 4.21) |