Clinical Trial: Beneficial Effects of Antenatal Magnesium Sulfate (BEAM Trial)

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Randomized Clinical Trial of the Beneficial Effects of Antenatal Magnesium Sulfate (BEAM)

Brief Summary: As many more premature infants survive, the numbers of these infants with health problems increases. The rate of cerebral palsy (CP) in extremely premature infants is approximately 20%. Magnesium sulfate, the most commonly used drug in the US to stop premature labor, may prevent CP. This trial tests whether magnesium sulfate given to a woman in labor with a premature fetus (24 to 31 weeks out of 40) will reduce the rate of death or moderate to severe CP in the children at 2 years. The children receive ultrasounds of their brains as infants and attend three follow-up visits over two years to assess their health and development.

Detailed Summary:

The prevalence of cerebral palsy is increasing as the survival rate of extremely premature infants is improving. Studies have suggested an apparent association between maternal magnesium sulfate administration and a reduced risk of cerebral palsy. Other studies have suggested a possible association between magnesium sulfate and a reduction in neonatal cranial ultrasound abnormalities which may be markers for subsequent development of cerebral palsy.

This multicenter trial tests whether prophylactic magnesium sulfate given to women, for whom preterm delivery is imminent, reduces the risk of death or moderate to severe cerebral palsy in their children. Women presenting from 24.0 to 31.6 weeks gestation with advanced preterm labor or premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM) and no recent exposure to magnesium sulfate are randomized to receive either intravenous magnesium sulfate or masked study drug placebo. The study drug is administered as a 6 gram loading dose followed by a 2 gram/hour infusion (or equivalent rate for placebo). If after 12 hours, delivery has not occurred and is not anticipated, the infusion is stopped. No other parenteral tocolytics other than the IV medication may be used. Retreatment with study medication is given any time labor recurs or delivery is anticipated until gestational age is > 34.0 wks. Standard clinical management and therapy is to be maintained for all study patients. Patients are assessed for signs of intolerance to the study medications and maternal data are collected up to hospital discharge. A sample of venous blood is collected and neonatal cranial ultrasounds are performed. Up to three follow-up visits are scheduled over two years where certified examiners, masked to study group assignment, collect physical and neurological data, including a modified Gross Motor Function Classification Scale. The Bayley Scales of Infant Develop
Sponsor: The George Washington University Biostatistics Center

Current Primary Outcome: Composite outcome of death or moderate to severe cerebral palsy

Original Primary Outcome:

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Maternal
  • Chorioamnionitis
  • Endometritis
  • Other infectious morbidity
  • Pulmonary edema
  • Placental abruption
  • Neonatal
  • Stillbirth and neonatal death
  • Intraventricular hemorrhage
  • Neonatal infectious morbidity
  • Neonatal noninfectious morbidity
  • Birth weight
  • Days in NICU


Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: The George Washington University Biostatistics Center

Dates:
Date Received: April 17, 2001
Date Started: December 1997
Date Completion:
Last Updated: September 26, 2016
Last Verified: September 2016