Intrauterine infection, magnesium sulfate exposure and cerebral palsy in infants born between 26 and 30 weeks of gestation

Objective: To identify prenatal events associated with cerebral palsy (CP) in infants born between 26 and 30 weeks of gestation. Study Design: Case (n = 22)-control (n = 170) study was performed using a logistic regression model. Results: Significant association of intrauterine infection with increased risk of CP was found in a logistic regression model that controlled for abnormal FHR patterns, placental infection, fetal acidosis at birth (umbilical artery pH<7.1), and low Apgar scare (<7) (odds ratio (OR) 5.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-20.4). Magnesium sulfate exposure was associated with decreased risk (OR 0.13, CI 0.03-0.66) after exclusion of premature rupture of the membranes and abruptio placentae. In the magnesium exposure group, cases were infants born less than 28 weeks of gestation (3/21 vs. 0/61, P = 0.015). Conclusion: In this case-control study, both intrauterine infection and magnesium sulfate exposure were significant factors related to the occurrence of cerebral palsy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.