Evaluation of plasma ionized magnesium levels in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Plasma levels of ionized magnesium (IMg) measured by ion-selective electrode were investigated in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia by comparing the newborns with (≥205 μM) and without ( 290 μM. Results of the present study suggest that increase in plasma IMg may be due to extracellular movement of Mg, a principally intracellular ion, resulting from generalized cellular injury including neurons and erythrocytes. Considering neuroprotective functions and beneficial effects of Mg ion in improving neurologic outcome, we also may speculate the possibility of a neuroprotective role or a compensatory mechanism in IMg increase against emerging toxicity risk of increasing serum bilirubin levels.