Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Journal of Isfahan Medical School 1027-7595 32 282 2014 05 22 The relationship of Maternal Serum Magnesium Levels and the Incidence of Low-Birth-Weight Infants: A Case-Control Study The relationship of Maternal Serum Magnesium Levels and the Incidence of Low-Birth-Weight Infants: A Case-Control Study 507 513 14316 FA Hamid Salehiniya PhD Student, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Leila Mohamadkhani-Shahri Lecturer, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran Samaneh Sabet-Birjandi Lecturer, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Islamic Azad University, Birjand Branch, Birjand, Iran Journal Article 2013 11 20 Background: Low birth weight is the most important public health problem, especially in the developing countries, associated with many complications. Magnesium, an essential element for many enzymes, have been studied in recent decades and can reduce preterm labor and low birth weight. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the relationship of maternal serum magnesium levels and the incidence of low-birth-weight infants.Methods: In this case-control study, 21 low- (cases) and 39 normal-birth-weight (control group) infants were studied. Information was collected by infant physical examination, interview with the mother and maternal blood laboratory tests. For the measurement of maternal serum magnesium level, atomic absorption spectrometry method was used. The collected data were analyzed using independent t and chi-square tests.Findings: The mean maternal serum magnesium level was significantly (P = 0.001) lower in the case group (2.24 ± 0.07 mg) compared with the control group (2.61 ± 0.09 mg). Low maternal serum magnesium level is a risk factor for incidence of low birth weight .Conclusion: Maternal serum magnesium level is a predictive risk factor for low birth weight. Therefore, to reduce the incidence of low birth weight, as one of the most important causes of infant mortality, oral administration of magnesium and dietary advices can be taken. Background: Low birth weight is the most important public health problem, especially in the developing countries, associated with many complications. Magnesium, an essential element for many enzymes, have been studied in recent decades and can reduce preterm labor and low birth weight. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the relationship of maternal serum magnesium levels and the incidence of low-birth-weight infants.Methods: In this case-control study, 21 low- (cases) and 39 normal-birth-weight (control group) infants were studied. Information was collected by infant physical examination, interview with the mother and maternal blood laboratory tests. For the measurement of maternal serum magnesium level, atomic absorption spectrometry method was used. The collected data were analyzed using independent t and chi-square tests.Findings: The mean maternal serum magnesium level was significantly (P = 0.001) lower in the case group (2.24 ± 0.07 mg) compared with the control group (2.61 ± 0.09 mg). Low maternal serum magnesium level is a risk factor for incidence of low birth weight .Conclusion: Maternal serum magnesium level is a predictive risk factor for low birth weight. Therefore, to reduce the incidence of low birth weight, as one of the most important causes of infant mortality, oral administration of magnesium and dietary advices can be taken. https://jims.mui.ac.ir/article_14316_cd2018beeece5fb0a71a96308e567bde.pdf