THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HYPOMAGNESEMIA ON GESTATION.

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HYPOMAGNESEMIA ON GESTATION. A. I. Laitinen, Henrietta Schmoll School of Health, Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN

Hypomagnesemia, common in pregnant women, could be attributed to increased metabolic needs during gestation and low dietary intake. Scientific evidence indicates that hypomagnesemia and smooth muscle spasms may be linked therefore contributing to preterm births. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the physiological effects of hypomagnesemia on gestation. A PubMed and EBSCO search was performed using the search terms “magnesium, smooth muscle, gestation, preterm birth, pregnancy, and spasms” alone and in combination. Studies were limited to human subject research published in English within the last ten years. Six research studies were selected and showed that hypomagnesemia had an adverse effect on skeletal muscle spasms and was linked to high rates of preterm birth due to uterine hyperactivity. Hypomagnesemia was also associated with leg cramps in pregnant women. Two of the three studies utilizing magnesium supplementation as an intervention showed no significant reduction of cramping. This research is beneficial to expectant mothers concerned about getting adequate micronutrients to support the health of their babies. Further research is needed to determine whether hypomagnesemia is the sole cause of cramping in women.