[Magnesium poisoning in an infant]

Abstract

We present the case of a girl aged 3 weeks with extreme hypermagnesaemia (7.94 mmol/l) due to an overdose of magnesium oxide, prescribed as a laxative. We treated her successfully with a combination of hyperhydration, forced diuresis and natriuresis, and additional intravenous calcium and insulin. We also performed an exchange transfusion which, however, had a questionable effect on the final outcome.