The Role of Magnesium in Pregnancy and in Fetal Programming of Adult Diseases

Abstract

Magnesium is an essential trace metal and a necessary factor for multiple biochemical functions in humans. Its role in biology is fundamental in over 600 enzymatic reactions implicated in protein synthesis, mitochondrial functions, neuromuscular activity, bone formation, and immune system competence. Magnesium status is relevant in fetal development during gestation and in the newborn growth during the perinatal period. Moreover, magnesium is able to influence fetal programming and disease presentation in childhood or adulthood. The aim of this review is to focus on this metal homeostasis, analyzing its normal values, the causes of hypomagnesemia, the interaction with drugs and other conditions, and the diseases associated with magnesium value alteration during pregnancy, in order to study its role in fetal programming of adult diseases. The data here reported clearly indicated the existence of a connection between magnesium status and human pathology starting from intrauterine life and extending into childhood and adulthood.

Association between Hypomagnesemia, COVID-19, Respiratory Tract and Lung Disease

“…Iron, copper [ 12 ], zinc [ 13 ], gold [ 14 ] and magnesium [ 15 ] have been reported to play a major role both in physiology and in pathology, particularly in elderly people. Given that magnesium is an essential trace element involved in over 600 enzymatic reactions in human cells [ 16 ] magnesium status might explain, at least partially, why these categories of subjects share an increased risk of severe COVID-19. Hypomagnesemia (serum Mg2+ <0.7 mmol/L) has been described as strongly associated with old age [ 17 ] type 2 diabetes mellitus [ 18 ] and obesity [ 19 ].…”

Prenatal metal exposure, cord blood DNA methylation and persistence in childhood: an epigenome-wide association study of 12 metals

“…Essential trace metals are critical for fetal development [ 1 ]. Copper (Cu) [ 2 ], magnesium (Mg) [ 3 ], manganese (Mn) [ 4 ], selenium (Se) [ 5 ], and zinc (Zn) [ 6 ] are involved in many biological processes and serve as cofactors or allosteric components to enzymes. Low maternal status of essential metals has been associated with adverse birth outcomes including preterm birth [ 7 ], decreased birth weight, and growth restriction [ 4 ], as well as infant and child health outcomes including neurodevelopment, cognitive function [ 8 – 10 ], and increased risk for infections [ 10 ].…”

Association between Dietary Magnesium Intake and Glycemic Markers in Ghanaian Women of Reproductive Age: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study

“…Simultaneously, the rate of T2DM has been increasing and it is now estimated that among women (aged 18 years and over) in Ghana, T2DM has increased from 5.0% in 2000 to 6.6% in 2014 [14]. The increase in T2DM is particularly concerning for women of reproductive age, as diabetes during pregnancy can lead to adverse birth outcomes such as restricted fetal growth, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm labor, as well as an increased risk of future diabetes [15][16][17]. Furthermore, low magnesium consumption during pregnancy plays a role in the fetal programming of adult disease [15].…”

“…The increase in T2DM is particularly concerning for women of reproductive age, as diabetes during pregnancy can lead to adverse birth outcomes such as restricted fetal growth, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm labor, as well as an increased risk of future diabetes [15][16][17]. Furthermore, low magnesium consumption during pregnancy plays a role in the fetal programming of adult disease [15]. Intrauterine magnesium deficiency in the fetus was linked to insulin resistance after birth, increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood [15].…”

“…Furthermore, low magnesium consumption during pregnancy plays a role in the fetal programming of adult disease [15]. Intrauterine magnesium deficiency in the fetus was linked to insulin resistance after birth, increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood [15]. It is unknown whether magnesium deficiency is a factor contributing to the prevalence of T2DM in Ghana as the average magnesium intake in the current diet is unknown.…”