The effect of magnesium on length of stay for pediatric sickle cell pain crisis. Acad Emerg Med 2004 Sep;11(9):968-72
Date
09/07/2004Pubmed ID
15347549DOI
10.1197/j.aem.2004.04.009Scopus ID
2-s2.0-4344570032 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 28 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate on the length of stay (LOS) for children admitted with sickle cell pain crisis.
METHODS: This was a single arm study, with historical controls. Hemoglobin SS or Hemoglobin Sbeta degrees children admitted for pain crisis were eligible. Two sequential treatment protocols of IV magnesium sulfate were added to standard inpatient therapy of IV fluids, opioids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The initial 12 children received 40 mg/kg (maximum of 1.5 g) of IV magnesium in the emergency department (ED), and eight and 16 hours later. Seven subsequent children received 40 mg/kg (maximum of 2.5 g) of IV magnesium in the ED, and every eight hours for up to four inpatient days. The main outcome measure was LOS, measured in days. Differences in LOS were analyzed between the admission with magnesium, and the two previous admissions meeting the same criteria, using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test for nonparametric paired data.
RESULTS: Nineteen children were enrolled. The results of the two protocols were combined for the analysis. A shorter LOS was found on study admissions (median LOS, 3.0 days compared with 5.0 and 4.0 days for the previous two admissions; p = 0.006).
CONCLUSIONS: IV magnesium appears to decrease the LOS for children with sickle cell pain crisis.
Author List
Brousseau DC, Scott JP, Hillery CA, Panepinto JAMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAnemia, Sickle Cell
Child
Child, Preschool
Drug Administration Schedule
Emergency Service, Hospital
Female
Humans
Infusions, Intravenous
Length of Stay
Magnesium
Male
Pain
