The effect of oral magnesium substitution on pregnancy-induced leg cramps
Article Abstract:
Oral magnesium supplements appear to relieve nightly leg cramps during pregnancy, but do not appear to increase serum magnesium levels. A total of 73 healthy pregnant women received either chewable magnesium tablets or sugar tablets. The dosage was 122 mg of magnesium in the morning and 244 mg in the evening. After three weeks of treatment, one-third of the 34 women in the magnesium group reported complete improvement compared to only three of 35 women in the placebo group. About half of the women studied had blood samples drawn before and after treatment to measure serum levels of magnesium and ionized calcium. Total magnesium levels were lower in the leg cramp group but remained the same before and after treatment. However, because about 50% of magnesium is stored in bones and under 1% can be found in extracellular stores, this finding was not surprising.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1995
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Long-term follow-up of mothers and their infants in a randomized trial on iron prophylaxis during pregnancy
Article Abstract:
Routine iron therapy does not appear to benefit healthy pregnant women and could cause harm to their babies. A total of 2,944 pregnant women over a two-year period were placed in one of two groups: women who were given iron supplements only if needed, and women who were given iron supplements as a preventive measure to avoid deficiency. The mean dosage was 124 mg of elemental iron. Infants in the supplement group had significantly higher incidences of convulsions, but no other significant differences were found, which suggests fetal iron exposure increases the risk of seizures.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1995
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