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[Serum ionic calcium in the early neonatal period in premature and small-for-gestational-age infants]
1Ginekolosko-akuserska klinika, Sarajevo.
Insights
Premature infants, especially those born earliest, have a high incidence of hypocalcemia. Calcium-supplemented infant nutrition is crucial to prevent poor bone mineralization in vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Context:
- Serum ionic calcium levels are critical for neonatal health.
- Premature infants and those small for gestational age are at higher risk for calcium imbalances.
- Postnatal bone mineralization is essential for infant development.
Purpose:
- To determine serum ionic calcium values in premature infants and those small for gestational age.
- To assess the incidence of hypocalcemia in these infant groups.
- To investigate the necessity of calcium-supplemented nutrition for preventing poor bone mineralization.
Summary:
- Serum ionic calcium was measured in premature infants (28-32 and 32-36 weeks gestational age) and infants small for gestational age on days 1 and 3 postpartum.
- Intrauterine growth-restricted newborns exhibited the highest ionic calcium levels.
- A significant 30% incidence of hypocalcemia was observed in premature infants aged 28-32 weeks gestational age.
Impact:
- Findings highlight a critical need for calcium-supplemented feeding in preterm infants.
- Early calcium supplementation can mitigate the risk of poor postnatal bone mineralization.
- This research informs nutritional guidelines for high-risk neonatal populations.
Abstract:
We determined the value of serum ionic calcium in premature infants of different gestational age and infants small for gestational age, on the first and the 3rd day after the birth. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of hypocalcemia and to confirm the hypothesis that the food for newborns should be calcium supplemented which would prevent poor postnatal bone mineralization. The subjects were divided into two groups: premature infants from 28 to 32 and from 32 to 36 gestational weeks. The third group consisted of intrauterine retarded newborns. The highest ionic calcium level was found in the intrauterine retarded newborns (1.30 on the first and 1.025 on the third day). High percentage (30%) of hypocalcemia was detected in premature infants from 28 to 32 gestational weeks. The high percentage of hypocalcemia in premature infants of smaller gestational age points to the need for calcium supplemented food which would prevent poor postnatal bone mineralization.