The Relationship between Maternal Serum Magnesium Level and Infant Low Birth Weight in Hafez Hospital, Shiraz, Iran

Introduction: There is a great deal of controversy regarding the effect of gestational magnesium (Mg) deficiency on fetal growth and the incidence of low birth weight (LBW) in infants. Therefore, this study aimed to delineate the possible relationship between maternal Mg level and infant LBW. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 180 mothers in Shiraz, Iran. Fasting blood samples were obtained for magnesium after delivery. Maternal and neonatal demographic data were recorded, and the mothers were divided into two groups: the control group including mothers with normal-weight infants (≥2500 g), and the case group consisting of mothers with LBW infants (<2500 g). Results: Out of 90 samples obtained in each group, there was neither a statistical association between the mean maternal magnesium level and neonatal sex (P=0.43) or gestational age (P=0.56), nor a correlation between serum magnesium level and maternal parity (P=0.52), education (P=0.75), or occupation (P=0.59) in the groups. In addition, no significant relationship was observed between maternal serum magnesium level and birth weight in each group (P=0.79). Conclusion: Due to lack of a statistically significant relationship between magnesium level and birth weight, and considering the contribution of various factors for LBW, more studies are required to investigate the role of other nutrients in infant LBW.