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Case Reports
. 2015 Jul 9;2(4):227-9.
doi: 10.14309/crj.2015.67. eCollection 2015 Jul.

Magnesium Toxicity-Induced Ileus in a Postpartum Patient Treated for Preeclampsia With Magnesium Sulphate

Mohammad Al-Shoha  1 , Jagpal S Klair  1 , Mohit Girotra  2 , Mauricio Garcia-Saenz-de-Sicilia  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Magnesium Toxicity-Induced Ileus in a Postpartum Patient Treated for Preeclampsia With Magnesium Sulphate

Mohammad Al-Shoha et al. ACG Case Rep J. .

Abstract

Hypermagnesemia is a rare and under-recognized cause of paralytic ileus. We report a case of a 21-year-old primigravida who was managed aggressively for preeclampsia and presented with postpartum paralytic ileus. Detailed history was employed to consider hypermagnesemia-induced ileus as the working diagnosis, and the patient improved with correction of the electrolyte imbalance. Hypermagnesemia-induced lethargy, decreased reflexes, muscle weakness, flaccid paralysis, respiratory muscle paralysis, and cardiac arrest are well-described; however, intestinal smooth muscle dysfunction leading to paralytic ileus has never been reported in the setting of magnesium use for peripartum preeclampsia management.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Abdominal x-ray showing multiple air-fluid levels concerning for small bowel obstruction.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Abdominal CT showing multiple air-fluid levels with a transition point in the right lower quadrant and collapsed distal ileum concerning for partial small bowel obstruction.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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