Contrary to the recommendation of expert guidelines, IV magnesium for children with moderate-to-severe asthma exacerbations was found to be associated with increased exacerbation severity and risk for hospitalization without any acceleration in resolution, according to a new observational study.  Many guidelines recommend  IV-Mg for children with severe asthma exacerbations who don’t completely respond to systemic corticosteroid (CCS) and inhaled albuterol.  According to the new study conducted by Donald H. Arnold, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and colleagues, IV magnesium failed to decrease the risk of hospitalization in asthmatic children. Furthermore, the researchers also highlighted that IV-Mg is typically administered late in the ED course, and that most children are hospitalized after receiving IV-Mg. The team revealed that they had analysed 933 children aged 5-17 years with acute, moderate or severe exacerbations in an urban tertiary children’s hospital emergency department to reach the conclusions that IV-Mg treatment appeared associated with a 2-hour increase in  Acute Asthma Intensity Research Score (AAIRS).