Background Magnesium sulphate is widely used in antenatal mothers for various indications such as neuroprotection, tocolysis and preeclampsia. Some studies suggest that there is alteration in intestinal motility and blood flow in preterm neonates as a result of exposure to Magnesium sulphate. Objective To evaluate the effect of antenatal magnesium Sulphate (MgSO 4) on mortality and morbidity outcomes related to the gastrointestinal system (GI) in preterm infants. Search strategy PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched through up to November 2022. Data collection and Analysis Two authors independently conducted data extraction. A random-effects model meta-analysis was performed. All included studies were assessed for methodological quality using appropriate quality assessment tool. The GRADE approach was used to assess the overall certainty of evidence. Main Results A total of thirty-eight observational and six RCTs involving 51,466 preterm infants were included. There were no increased odds of stage ≥2 NEC, (n= 50,727, OR:1.0; 95% CI: 0.89-1.12, I 2- 7%), SIP ( n= 34,186, OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.94-1.58, I 2-30% ), feed intolerance (n= 414, OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.64-1.76, I 2-12%) in infants exposed to antenatal MgSO 4. On the contrary, the incidence of surgical NEC was significantly lower in MgSO 4 exposure infants (n= 29,506 OR:0.74; 95% CI: 0.62-0.90, ARR: 0.47%). Studies assessing the effect on GI-related mortality were sparse to make any conceivable conclusion. GRADE certainty of findings were ‘very low’. Conclusion Antenatal MgSO 4 did not increase the incidence of gastrointestinal-related morbidities or mortality in preterm infants.

Background and Objective: With improved survival in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), the focus is currently on mitigating the morbidities. The objective of this study was to predict factors determining prolonged hospital stay in neonates with MAS. Materials and methods: It was a retrospective cohort from five centres of south India between 2018 and 2020. Neonates ≥35 weeks of gestation admitted to NICU with the diagnosis of MAS and requiring oxygen beyond 24 hours of life were included in the study. The morbidities in the neonates with stay ≤7 days (short stay) were compared with >7 days (prolonged stay). Logistic regression by the backward stepwise method was used for predictive score creation. Results: Out of 347 neonates with MAS discharged home, 103 (29%) had a short stay and 244 (71%) had prolonged stay. The primary support beyond O2 (CPAP/MV) (42% vs 83%, p<0.001), FiO2 at 1hr>30% (45% vs 87%, p<0.001), HIE stage 2 or 3 (2% vs 27%, p<0.001), moderate-severe PPHN (3% vs 31%, p<0.001) were independent factors associated with prolonged stay on logistic regression. A prediction model was devised using weighted scores of these four associated morbidities. The clinical score thus developed had 83% sensitivity, 68% specificity for the prediction of prolonged stay [AUC- 82, 95% CI (78-87), p<0.001]. Conclusion: More than two-thirds of neonates with MAS had prolonged stay. The primary support beyond oxygen, Fio2 requirement >30%, Moderate to severe PPHN, HIE stage 2 or 3 were predictive of prolonged stay in neonates with MAS.