Antenatal magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection of preterm babies: data analysis of inequities in treatment in England 2014 to 2024

ABSTRACT Objectives To identify (a) sociodemographic inequities in treatment with antenatal MgSO 4 for fetal neuroprotection in preterm birth, and (b) whether any inequities have improved following implementation of a national quality improvement programme to improve use of MgSO 4 . Design Secondary data analysis study using adjusted logistic regression modelling. Setting NHS England maternity units from 2014 to 2024. Participants Mothers with a preterm baby born from 24 to under 30 weeks’ gestation and admitted to an NHS neonatal unit. Outcomes Receipt of antenatal MgSO 4 . Results Before implementation of the National PReCePT (Preventing Cerebral Palsy in Pre-Term labour) Programme (NPP), mothers from the North of England had lower odds of MgSO 4 treatment than mothers from the South of England (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.74, p