[304-POS]: Use of oral magnesium to prevent gestational hypertension

Objectives Magnesium (Mg) is the generally accepted treatment in pre-eclampsia and has been shown to reduce medical complications in the mother and fetus in around 50% of the cases. In view of this, attempts have been made to prevent gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and other pregnancy complications by supplementation with magnesium during pregnancy. Methods A review of previous studies showed an effect of Mg on blood pressure in three studies and no effect in one. The latter was, however, an intervention with two doses of Mg with a narrow therapeutic range. In our study we selected 60 primapara women who were given Mg-citrate from week 25 in a double-blind, placebo controlled design. Blood pressure was measured at regular visits to the maternity clinic and the expression of Mg responsive genes (MgRG) was determined. Results At pregnancy weeks 35 and 37, the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower in the Mg supplemented group. The number of women who had an increase in diastolic pressure ⩾15 mmHg was significantly lower in the supplemented group. At week 37 the MgRG TRPM7 was related to the systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the expression was higher among those with a diastolic blood pressure increase of ⩾15 mmHg. Conclusions The results support the hypothesis that supplementation with Mg during pregnancy decreases the risk of gestational hypertension. Further studies in other population groups are required before general recommendations can be made. Disclosures R. Rylander: None. M. Bullarbo: None.