What do systematic reviews say?

Magnesium sulphate vs placebo (outcomes

Magnesium sulphate showed no clear difference in death or cerebral palsy (up to school age)** compared with placebo (outcomes (low certainty).

• Magnesium sulphate for women at risk of preterm birth for neuroprotection of the fetus 2024 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.9 [0.67, 1.2]
  1 study · 503 participants
  Low
• Magnesium sulphate for women at risk of preterm birth for neuroprotection of the fetus 2024 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.87 [0.77, 0.98]
  6 studies · 6481 participants
  High

Magnesium sulphate vs placebo (outcomes

Magnesium sulphate leads to lower cerebral palsy (up to 2 years' corrected age)** compared with placebo (outcomes (high certainty).

• Magnesium sulphate for women at risk of preterm birth for neuroprotection of the fetus 2024 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.71 [0.57, 0.89]
  6 studies · 6107 participants
  High
• Magnesium sulphate for women at risk of preterm birth for neuroprotection of the fetus 2024 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.99 [0.69, 1.41]
  2 studies · 1038 participants
  Low

Dexamethasone vs betamethasone – child outcomes

Dexamethasone showed no clear difference in cerebral palsy compared with betamethasone – child outcomes (low certainty).

• Different corticosteroids and regimens for accelerating fetal lung maturation for babies at risk of preterm birth 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 2.5 [0.97, 6.39]
  1 study · 1223 participants
  Low

Continuous CTG vs intermittent auscultation

Continuous CTG showed no clear difference in cerebral palsy compared with intermittent auscultation (low certainty).

• Continuous cardiotocography (CTG) as a form of electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) for fetal assessment during labour 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.75 [0.84, 3.63]
  2 studies · 13252 participants
  Low

Intermittent ausculation of fetal heart rate in labour for fetal well‐being ‐ Doppler vs routine Pinard (outcomes

• Intermittent auscultation (IA) of fetal heart rate in labour for fetal well‐being 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies · 0 participants
  GRADE not reported

Intermittent ausculation of fetal heart rate in labour for fetal well‐being ‐ Intensive Pinard vs routine Pinard (outcomes

• Intermittent auscultation (IA) of fetal heart rate in labour for fetal well‐being 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies · 0 participants
  GRADE not reported

Intermittent ausculation of fetal heart rate in labour for fetal well‐being ‐ Intermittent electronic fetal monitoring (CTG) vs routine Pinard (outcomes

• Intermittent auscultation (IA) of fetal heart rate in labour for fetal well‐being 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies · 0 participants
  GRADE not reported

Universal screening vs No screening

Universal screening showed no clear difference in neurosensory disability (any of cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness,… compared with no screening (moderate certainty).

• Screening and subsequent management for thyroid dysfunction pre‐pregnancy and during pregnancy for improving maternal… 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.85 [0.6, 1.22]
  1 study · 794 participants
  Moderate

Universal screening vs case finding

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Screening and subsequent management for thyroid dysfunction pre‐pregnancy and during pregnancy for improving maternal… 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found