Neonatal hypomagnesemia is most likely associated with which factor?

Neonatal hypomagnesemia is most likely associated with which factor?

• A. Sepsis
• B. Placental insufficiency
• C. Hypermagnesemia in mother
• D. Delayed cord clamping

Answer: (B)

Magnesium moves from mother to fetus through the placenta, so the fetus largely reflects maternal magnesium status. When placental function is impaired (placental insufficiency), the transfer of magnesium to the fetus is reduced, making fetal and neonatal magnesium levels drop and leading to hypomagnesemia after birth. This mechanism fits best with the problem, because maternal magnesium status can shift fetal levels in the opposite direction (maternal hypermagnesemia tends to cause neonatal hypermagnesemia), and delayed cord clamping or sepsis do not directly explain a consistent risk for low neonatal magnesium.

Magnesium moves from mother to fetus through the placenta, so the fetus largely reflects maternal magnesium status. When placental function is impaired (placental insufficiency), the transfer of magnesium to the fetus is reduced, making fetal and neonatal magnesium levels drop and leading to hypomagnesemia after birth. This mechanism fits best with the problem, because maternal magnesium status can shift fetal levels in the opposite direction (maternal hypermagnesemia tends to cause neonatal hypermagnesemia), and delayed cord clamping or sepsis do not directly explain a consistent risk for low neonatal magnesium.