The value of magnesium sulfate nebulization in treatment of acute bronchial asthma during pregnancy

Little is known about the effect of inhaled Mg sulfate when added to B2 agonist in acute asthma with pregnancy. Our objective: To evaluate the broncho-dilator effect of nebulized magnesium sulfate with B2 agonist in the treatment of acute asthma during pregnancy, and its safety on pregnancy outcome. Material and methods: The studied patients were randomized into two groups. "Group A" patients received the routine treatment of acute asthma exacerbation plus nebulized salbutamol in dose of 1 ml of salbutamol solution dissolved in 9 ml of normal saline. "Group B" patients received the same above treatment plus 500 mg (1 ml) of magnesium sulfate. Two hours after therapy, pulmonary function test and blood gas analysis were done. Result: Total 60 pregnant women with acute asthma, 30 patients in each group with mean age were 25.9 +/- 4.01 and 25.7 +/- 3.8. Comparison between both groups in pulse rate, arterial oxygen tension and oxygen saturation was significant (P < 0.001). FEV1 was 32.68 +/- 7.15 and 56.31 +/- 8.25 in groups A and B respectively and % of change was 69% with significant P value < 0.001. The frequency of asthma exacerbation till delivery was 3.2 +/- 0.98 & 0.4 +/- 0.57 in groups A and B respectively (95% CI 2.4-3.1) with significant P value (P < 0.001). All patients had either normal delivery (60 % and 66.6 %) or Cesarian (40 % and 33.6 %) with smooth neonatal period. In Conclusion: Adding Nebulized Mgs for acute asthma during pregnancy is effective and safe. The availability, cheapness of this drug especially for the developing countries added to its advantage. (C) 2014 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Egyptian Society of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis.