Safety and efficacy of rapid administration of intravenous magnesium sulfate in acute severe asthma in children

Prashant Kumar Verma; Rajesh Bhatia; G Mohan; Rajeshwar Dayal

Volume : X, Issue : VI, June - 2020

Safety and efficacy of rapid administration of intravenous magnesium sulfate in acute severe asthma in children

Prashant Kumar Verma, Rajesh Bhatia, G Mohan, Rajeshwar Dayal

Abstract :

Objective: To evaluate the role and safety profile of magnesium sulfate in the management of acute severe asthma. Study Design: A prospective experimental study. Setting: S.N. Medical College, Agra. Patients: Fifty–one cases of acute severe asthma aged 6–12 years. Every alternate patient was taken as a study group (n1=25) and rest were considered in the control group (n2= 26). Intervention: Intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate as a dose of (25 mg/kg) was given slowly within 10 minutes under vital monitoring. Serum magnesium was estimated before and after 30 minutes of magnesium sulfate infusion. Main Outcome Measures: Asthma scoring, recurrence of symptoms and signs of asthma, and Emergency Dept. duration between these two groups. Results: Mean serum magnesium levels before 30 minutes and after 30 minutes of therapy were 3.09 + 2.273 mg% and 3.20 + 2.265 mg%. These values were not significantly different (p > 0.05, t value = 0.168). There were significant improvements in asthma scoring in the case group (P < 0.05) as compared to the control group. There was a significant reduction in the duration of their E.D. stay (P <0.01, t value = 8.8) in cases as compared to the control group. Sixteen Children in the control group and 5 children in the case group showed recurrence of symptoms and signs of asthma. This difference was significant (P < 0.05, t value = 4.22). Incidences of side effects of Magnesium sulfate were not significant. Conclusion: Intravenous magnesium sulfate is a useful adjuvant to the standard treatment of acute severe asthma; this therapy not only decreased the total time duration of an asthma attack but also decreased the recurrence of acute severe asthma without any significant side effect.