This article misses the point that the standard of practice still does not require that magnesium sulfate be administered to mothers threatening preterm delivery prior to 32 week.  As mentioned in the above article Rouse was the lead author for the published study findings.  However, Rouse wrote an opinion piece in the same issue of the NEJM lamenting that the beneficial effects of magnesium sulfate has not apparently for many been sufficiently established to recommend its use.  Rouse opines that the neuroprotective effects of magnesium sulfate could spare 1000 children a year from suffering cerebral palsy.

The first study to demonstrate the beneficial effects of magnesium in this setting was published in 1995.  The Rouse trial first reported upon in 2008 was the largest to date and those findings were again confirmed by Constantine and Weiner in their impressive meta-analysis "Effects of Antenatal Exposure to Magnesium Sulfate on Neuroprotection and Mortality in Preterm Infants" (Obstet Gynecol 2009; 114:354-64). Weiner and Constantine conclude "magnesium sulfate...significantly reduces the risk of cerebral palsy without increasing the risk of death."

How many further children must needlessly suffer until a new standard of practice is pronounced?