PREVALENCE OF HYPOMAGNESEMIA IN PRETERM AND ILL NEONATES AT THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF Children’s Hospital 1
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Abstract
Background: Hypomagnesemia is a relatively common electrolyte disorder in critically ill patients; however, in neonates, particularly preterm infants and those with severe underlying diseases, this condition has received limited attention and is not routinely monitored. Magnesium plays a crucial role in neuromuscular and cardiovascular function; therefore, magnesium deficiency may worsen disease progression and adversely affect clinical outcomes.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of hypomagnesemia and to investigate associated factors in preterm and ill neonates treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s Hospital 1.
Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted on 95 neonates admitted to the NICU between March 2025 and September 2025. Serum magnesium levels were monitored during the NICU stay. Hypomagnesemia was defined as a serum magnesium concentration <0.66 mmol/L.
Results: During the study period, 29.5% (28/95) of neonates experienced at least one episode of hypomagnesemia. The prevalence of hypomagnesemia in the first week of the NICU stay was 14.7%, and higher rates were observed in subsequent weeks (21.1% and 24.1%, respectively). Most cases were mild to moderate and clinically asymptomatic. The highest prevalence of hypomagnesemia in neonates was gastrointestinal surgical diseases (56.4%). Common concomitant electrolyte abnormalities included hyponatremia (50%), hypokalemia (39.3%), and hypocalcemia (32.1%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that concomitant hypokalemia (OR = 4.383; 95% CI: 1.019–18.844), and Aminoglycoside use (OR = 0.117; 95% CI: 0.026–0.524) were independently associated with hypomagnesemia.
Conclusion: Hypomagnesemia is not uncommon among neonates treated in the NICU, with nearly one-third experiencing at least one episode during the first three weeks of the NICU stay. Neonates with concomitant hypokalemia are at higher risk and should undergo proactive monitoring of serum magnesium levels to facilitate early detection and timely intervention, thereby improving clinical management and outcomes.
Keywords
hypomagnesemia, preterm neonates, neonatal intensive care unit, electrolyte imbalances
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References
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