The relationship between magnesium levels and complications of jaundice in infants

Background: The effects of magnesium physiology are contradictory to the neurotoxic effect of bilirubin, but the relationship between magnesium level and hyperbilirubinemia in neonates has not been well studied. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum magnesium level and hyperbilirubinemia and hyperbilirubinemia complications at the Children’s Medical Center. Methods: In this cross-sectional and prospective study, 100 neonates who were admitted to the Children's Medical Center from October 2018 to 2019 due to neonatal jaundice were enrolled. Neonates were divided into two groups: serum bilirubin levels 16-20 mg/dl were included in the moderate hyperbilirubinemia group and bilirubin >20 mg/dl into severe hyperbilirubinemia group. Serum magnesium levels and clinical complications of hyperbilirubinemia including fever, seizure, apnea, bradycardia, and abnormal neurological examinations were recorded in these infants. Results: In this study, 100 neonates were evaluated. The mean serum magnesium level in these patients was 2.32 mg/dl. This rate was significantly higher in neonates with seizure (P=0.038), hyperbilirubinemia fever (P=0.048), and neonates with chronic encephalopathy (P=0.003). The mean serum magnesium level was significantly higher in severe hyperbilirubinemia (P<0.001). Serum Magnesium in complications of chronic encephalopathy (P=0.007), Fisting (P=0.001), retrocoli (P=0.001), hypertonia (P=0.004), hypotonia (P=0.001) and seizures (P=0.030) were significantly different. The serum magnesium levels were positively correlated with total bilirubin (r=0.443, P<0.001). The magnesium levels correlated with the chronic encephalopathy (OR: 4.15, P=0.040) and it was observed that magnesium levels above 2.15 could predict chronic encephalopathy with a sensitivity of 100%, the specificity of 47.82%, a negative predictive value of 100% and a positive predictive value of 14.28%. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that serum magnesium levels significantly correlated with serum total bilirubin and magnesium cutting points above 2.15 mg/dl in patients with jaundice could predict chronic encephalopathy.