Cerebral palsy (CP) is defined as a group of permanent, non-progressive motor and postural developmental disorders resulting from central nervous system injury. It is the most common cause of childhood motor dysfunction, affecting approximately 1.6 per 1,000 live births.
While 50% of cases occur in full-term infants, the risk increases significantly with decreasing gestational age. Infants born before 34 weeks of gestation account for 25% of all new CP cases, and the incidence rises to 4–8% in infants with very low birth weight (<1500 grams).
The Role of Magnesium Sulfate
Recent systematic reviews (e.g., Cochrane Database) indicate that antenatal magnesium sulfate administration in pregnancies at risk of preterm birth can significantly reduce the risk of cerebral palsy and motor dysfunction in preterm infants.
Clinical Management and Protocols
Magnesium sulfate is not a routine outpatient medication and must be administered under strict hospital supervision. Due to the requirement for continuous monitoring of maternal vital signs and precise adherence to specific dosage protocols, this treatment should only be implemented in specialized centers with experienced multidisciplinary teams.