Cerebral Palsy
Supplements studied for cerebral palsy.
Overview
Magnesium sulfate given intravenously to women at risk of preterm delivery is the most studied intervention linked to cerebral palsy here (15 trials). It may reduce the chance that the baby develops cerebral palsy or motor difficulties, with reported risk reductions in many but not all studies.
In children with spastic cerebral palsy, one small kefir trial reported softer stools and less constipation versus baseline, but not versus yogurt. Melatonin lacks sufficient evidence in this dataset. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
3 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
MagnesiumView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Giving magnesium sulfate through an intravenous drip to women at risk of early delivery can lower the chance that their baby will develop cerebral palsy or movement problems.
- The usual dose is 4 grams given through the vein followed by a steady dose of 1 gram per hour until birth or for 24 hours.
- Required doses may be adjusted based on maternal weight.
- Most studies show this treatment lowers the risk by about one third for cerebral palsy and nearly half for motor difficulties, but some studies have found different results.
- Magnesium taken by mouth has not been tested for this purpose.
Browse 15 studies·8 meta-analyses
MetaMagnesium sulfate for fetal neuroprotection in preterm pregnancy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2024n=8,171
A meta-analysis of RCTs showing that antenatal magnesium sulfate significantly reduces the risk of cerebral palsy in preterm infants. A meta-analysis of 7 studies including 8,171 participants found that 4-6 g magnesium sulfate was associated with a 30% reduction in fetal neurological impairment risk (RR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.87).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 6 g
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 8,171
MetaMagnesium sulphate for women at risk of preterm birth for neuroprotection of the fetus2024n=5,917
An updated Cochrane meta-analysis of 6 RCTs (5,917 women) found antenatal magnesium sulfate before preterm birth reduced cerebral palsy risk by 29% (RR 0.71, NNT 60) without increasing infant mortality.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 5,917
- Ages
- 30+
ObservationalNeuroprotective effect of magnesium sulfate in premature infants. Analysis after establishing an antenatal administration protocol in a tertiary care hospital2023n=523
An observational analysis showing improved neonatal neuroprotective outcomes after implementing an antenatal magnesium sulfate protocol. A retrospective observational study of 523 pregnant women at risk of imminent birth (before 32 weeks) found that IV administration of 4.5 g magnesium sulfate over 20 min followed by a maintenance dose of 1 g/h for 24 h or until delivery led to no changes in the risk of developing cerebral palsy. There was a significant reduction in mortality (28% vs. 7%) and risk of severe necrotising enterocolitis (26% vs. 7%) in the group of patients born between 26 and 27
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 1 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 523
RCTAntenatal magnesium sulphate for the prevention of cerebral palsy in infants born preterm: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial2020n=680
A large double-blind RCT showing magnesium sulphate given before imminent preterm birth significantly reduced cerebral palsy risk. A study found that 5 g antenatal magnesium sulfate followed by 1 g/h decreases the risk of moderate to severe cerebral palsy compared to placebo (odds ratio 0.61; 95% CI 0.23–1.65) in children born before 32 weeks of gestation.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 5 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 680
MetaMagnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection at imminent risk for preterm delivery: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis2020n=5,917
A systematic review with trial sequential analysis of 6 RCTs (5,917 women) confirmed magnesium sulfate before imminent preterm delivery reduces offspring cerebral palsy by ~31% (RR 0.68, TSA RR 0.69).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 5,917
RCTMaternal side effects & fetal neuroprotection according to body mass index after magnesium sulfate in a multicenter randomized controlled trial2018n=2,241
A secondary analysis of 2,241 women found antenatal magnesium neuroprotection effective in non-obese women (p=0.02) but not in obese women, with BMI affecting cord magnesium levels and side effects.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 2,241
MetaAssessing the neuroprotective benefits for babies of antenatal magnesium sulphate: An individual participant data meta-analysis2017n=5,493
An individual participant data meta-analysis of 5 trials (5,493 women, 6,131 babies) found antenatal magnesium sulfate associated with reduced moderate/severe cerebral palsy without increasing death or combined death/CP in neuroprotection trials.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 5,493
MetaEffects and Safety of Magnesium Sulfate on Neuroprotection: A Meta-analysis Based on PRISMA Guidelines2016
A PRISMA meta-analysis of 10 studies (18,655 preterm infants) found antenatal magnesium sulfate reduced moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy (OR 0.61) with acceptable fetal safety but notable maternal side effects.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
RCTProximity of magnesium exposure to delivery and neonatal outcomes2016n=906
An analysis of 906 preterm infants found magnesium exposure within 12 hours of delivery associated with lower cerebral palsy odds (adjusted OR 0.41) vs exposure ≥12 hours before delivery.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 906
RCTAntenatal magnesium sulfate and neuroprotection2012n=6,145
A review of 5 RCTs found antenatal magnesium sulfate reduced cerebral palsy by 31% (RR 0.69) and substantial motor dysfunction by 39% (RR 0.61) in very preterm infants.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Infants
- Participants
- 6,145
MetaAntenatal magnesium sulfate for the prevention of cerebral palsy in preterm infants less than 34 weeks' gestation: a systematic review and metaanalysis2009n=4,796
A meta-analysis of 6 RCTs (4,796 women at risk of preterm birth before 34 weeks) found antenatal magnesium sulfate reduced cerebral palsy risk by 31% (RR 0.69) and moderate/severe CP by 36%, without increasing pediatric mortality.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 4,796
MetaEffects of antenatal exposure to magnesium sulfate on neuroprotection and mortality in preterm infants: a meta-analysis2009n=5,235
A meta-analysis of 5 RCTs (5,235 fetuses/infants) found in utero magnesium sulfate before 32–34 weeks reduced cerebral palsy by 30% (RR 0.70) and moderate-severe CP by 40%, with NNT of 46–56 to prevent one CP case.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 18–24 months
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 5,235
- Ages
- 18–24
MetaMagnesium sulphate for women at risk of preterm birth for neuroprotection of the fetus2009n=6,145
An early Cochrane meta-analysis of 5 trials (6,145 infants) found antenatal magnesium sulfate reduced cerebral palsy risk by 32% (RR 0.68) and substantial gross motor dysfunction by 39% (RR 0.61) without increasing pediatric mortality.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 6,145
ObservationalMagnesium sulfate for tocolysis and risk of spastic cerebral palsy in premature children born to women without preeclampsia2000n=170
A retrospective case-control study of 170 preterm children with cerebral palsy found magnesium sulfate tocolysis was not associated with reduced CP risk in infants born to women without preeclampsia.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 170
Common allergenic structures in hazelnut, rye grain, sesame seeds, kiwi, and poppy seeds1993
A biochemical study identified shared allergenic protein structures among hazelnut, rye, sesame, kiwi, and poppy seeds, explaining observed cross-reactivity patterns in allergy patients.
- Population
- Allergy patients
MelatoninView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- There is not enough evidence to determine if melatonin has any benefit for cerebral palsy.
Browse 1 study
RCTThe Effect of Melatonin on Sleep Disorders in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial2024n=13
An RCT of children with cerebral palsy aged 2–12 found 3 mg/day melatonin significantly reduced time to fall asleep and increased sleep duration vs placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 3 mg/day
- Population
- Children/adolescents
- Participants
- 13
- Ages
- 2–12
KefirView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A small study in children aged 4–8 years with spastic cerebral palsy found that drinking kefir (250 mL daily for 7 weeks) reduced constipation and made stools softer compared with starting levels.
- These changes were not seen in children given regular yogurt, but the results are uncertain because the two groups were not directly compared.
Browse 1 study
Effects of a Modern Kefir on Conditions Associated with Moderate Severe Spastic Quadriparesis Cerebral Palsy2022n=12
In 12 children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, modern kefir for 7 weeks increased weight and height, reduced constipation, and raised lymphocyte counts versus yogurt control.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 7 weeks
- Population
- Children/adolescents
- Participants
- 12
- Ages
- 4–8
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.