Cerebral spinal fluid and serum ionized magnesium and calcium levels in preeclamptic women during administration of magnesium sulfate.

Objective: To study the distribution of ionized and total magnesium (Mg) in serum and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in preeclamptic women receiving MgSO(4) and how this treatment affects the ionized calcium (Ca(2+)) and ionized Ca:Mg ratios compared with healthy nonpregnant women and pregnant control women (HP).

Design: Controlled clinical study.

Setting: An academic medical center.