Magnesium is an essential trace metal and a necessary factor for multiple biochemical functions in humans. Its role in biology is fundamental in over 600 enzymatic reactions implicated in protein synthesis, mitochondrial functions, neuromuscular activity, bone formation, and immune system competence. Magnesium status is relevant in fetal development during gestation and in the newborn growth during the perinatal period. Moreover, magnesium is able to influence fetal programming and disease presentation in childhood or adulthood. The aim of this review is to focus on this metal homeostasis, analyzing its normal values, the causes of hypomagnesemia, the interaction with drugs and other conditions, and the diseases associated with magnesium value alteration during pregnancy, in order to study its role in fetal programming of adult diseases. The data here reported clearly indicated the existence of a connection between magnesium status and human pathology starting from intrauterine life and extending into childhood and adulthood.

镁是一种必需的微量金属，也是人体多种生化功能的必要因素。它在生物学中的作用是涉及蛋白质合成、线粒体功能、神经肌肉活动、骨形成和免疫系统能力的 600 多种酶反应的基础。镁状态与妊娠期间的胎儿发育和围产期的新生儿生长有关。此外，镁能够影响胎儿的编程和儿童期或成年期的疾病表现。本综述的目的是关注这种金属稳态，分析其正常值、低镁血症的原因、与药物和其他条件的相互作用以及与妊娠期间镁值改变相关的疾病，以研究其对胎儿的作用成人疾病的规划。这里报告的数据清楚地表明镁状态与人类病理学之间存在联系，从宫内生活开始一直延伸到儿童期和成年期。