Table 4. Adverse outcome estimates from randomised controlled trials: Comparison 2—Lower versus higher dose regimens of magnesium sulphate.
| Outcome | Studies | Participants | Method (I2) | RR (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 Perinatal death | 6 | 543 | F (0) | 1.01 (0.75, 1.36) |
| 2.2 Stillbirth | 5 | 471 | F (0) | 0.94 (0.61, 1.45) |
| 2.3 Neonatal death | 6 | 535 | F (0) | 1.12 (0.57, 2.22) |
| 2.4 Apgar score < 7 at 1 minute | 3 | 302 | F (0) | 0.96 (0.68, 1.35) |
| 2.5 Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes | 3 | 302 | R (35%) | 1.41 (0.54, 3.65) |
| 2.6 Resuscitation | 1 | 64 | F (NA) | 1.00 (0.22, 4.59) |
| 2.7 Respiratory distress syndrome | 2 | 154 | R (53%) | 1.97 (0.76, 5.15) |
| 2.8 Respiratory depression | 1 | 50 | F (NA) | 0.33 (0.04, 2.99) |
| 2.9 Respiratory disorders | 1 | 64 | F (NA) | 1.08 (0.87, 1.33) |
| 2.10 Mechanical ventilation | 1 | 64 | F (NA) | 2.00 (0.39, 10.16) |
| 2.11 Bradycardia | 1 | 104 | F (NA) | 3.85 (0.45, 33.29) |
| 2.12 Jaundice | 1 | 50 | F (NA) | 1.25 (0.38, 4.12) |
| 2.13 Hypoglycaemia | 1 | 104 | F (NA) | 0.96 (0.06, 14.98) |
| 2.14 Hypocalcaemia | 1 | 104 | F (NA) | 2.89 (0.12, 69.32) |
| 2.15 Hypotonia | 1 | 50 | F (NA) | 0.14 (0.02, 1.08) |
| 2.16 Requirement for calcium gluconate | 1 | 50 | F (NA) | 0.25 (0.06, 1.06) |
| 2.17 NICU admission | 5 | 409 | F (6%) | 1.75 (1.06, 2.88) |
| 2.18 NICU stay (days) | 1 | 104 | MD, F (NA) | 3.10 (0.78, 5.42) |
Statistically significant effect estimates in bold. Test for heterogeneity represented by I2 statistic; where I2 > 30%, summary estimates were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis.
CI, confidence interval; F, fixed-effects; MD, mean difference; NA, not applicable; NICU, neonatal intensive care unit; R, random-effects; RR, risk ratio.