Feasibility of Short-Term Infusion of Magnesium Sulfate in Pediatric Patients With Status Asthmaticus

OBJECTIVE  This report describes the feasibility of high-dose magnesium sulfate infusion in pediatric patients with status asthmaticus. METHODS  Retrospective chart review over a 3-year period of all patients younger than 18 years of age with status asthmaticus who underwent a high-dose magnesium sulfate infusion for 4 hours. All patients were breathing spontaneously but were refractory to conventional therapy. The magnesium sulfate infusion regimen was 50 mg/kg (for patients weighing >30 kg) or 75 mg/kg (for those weighing ≤30 kg) over a period of 30 to 45 minutes, followed by a continuous infusion of 40 mg/kg/hr for 4 hours. Information regarding vital and clinical respiratory signs, serum magnesium (SrMg), ionized magnesium (iMg), electrocardiograms, and cardiac troponin levels were retrieved. We analyzed the relationship between SrMg and iMg by using linear regression analysis. RESULTS  Nineteen patients were included. At the end of the infusion, SrMg levels were 4.4 ± 0.8 mg/dL, and iMg levels were 0...