Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral needed in relatively large amounts by humans. In a number of retrospective studies magnesium levels during pregnancy were found to be associated with the risk of seizures in pre-eclampsia, prematurity and low birth weight (Ramakrisham et al. 1999, Makrides & Crowther 2000). This promising association has triggered a number of controlled supplementation studies, which have been reviewed lately (Makrides & Crowther 2000). The authors of the Cochrane review concluded that there is at present not enough evidence to show that dietary magnesium supplementation during pregnancy is beneficial. No studies are available on magnesium supplementation in developing countries, where the deficiency might be more important.