Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Cytosolic Calcium Measurements in Renal Epithelial Cells by Flow Cytometry
10:24

Cytosolic Calcium Measurements in Renal Epithelial Cells by Flow Cytometry

Published on: October 28, 2014

Perinatal calcium metabolism: physiology and pathophysiology

Stephanie C Hsu1, Michael A Levine

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, The John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

Seminars in Neonatology : SN
|March 12, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal mineral homeostasis disturbances, including calcium issues, are common, especially in premature or ICU infants. Understanding neonatal calcium metabolism is key for diagnosing and managing these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mineral homeostasis disturbances are frequent in neonates, particularly premature or ICU-admitted infants.
  • These issues often stem from exaggerated physiological transitions from intrauterine to extrauterine life.
  • Genetic defects, intrauterine pathologies, birth stress, or immaturity can also cause calcium imbalances.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of calcium metabolism during the neonatal transition.
  • To discuss common causes of neonatal hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia.
  • To highlight the importance of specific knowledge for diagnosis and management.

Main Methods:

  • Review of neonatal mineral metabolism and calcium physiology.
  • Discussion of etiological factors for hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia.
  • Emphasis on the unique biochemical and clinical features in newborns.

Main Results:

  • Neonatal calcium disturbances are common and multifactorial.
  • Causes range from physiological adaptation to genetic defects and pathological conditions.
  • Specific knowledge of neonatal mineral metabolism is crucial.

Conclusions:

  • Effective diagnosis and management of neonatal hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia rely on understanding perinatal mineral physiology.
  • The chapter emphasizes the unique aspects of newborn mineral metabolism.
  • Awareness of common causes aids in clinical decision-making for affected infants.

More Related Videos

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

The Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Model of Perinatal Ischemia08:47

The Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Model of Perinatal Ischemia

Published on: November 19, 2008

Related Concept Videos

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis01:21

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.
Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin00:51

Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin

Calcitonin, a vital polypeptide hormone, regulates calcium levels within body fluids. It is released by the parafollicular cells, also known as C cells, situated in the follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin responds to fluctuations in blood calcium levels and the influence of gastrointestinal hormones like gastrin and cholecystokinin.
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Introduction to Electrolytes01:33

Introduction to Electrolytes

In humans, electrolytes play a vital role in various physiological processes. Balancing electrolyte levels is essential for normal body functions; their imbalance can be life-threatening. The major electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphate, and bicarbonate. They are primarily involved in physiological processes, such as nerve signal transmission, membrane trafficking, muscle contraction, buffering body fluids, and balancing water levels in the body.
Role of Sodium
One...
Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate01:27

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Calcium and phosphate are essential electrolytes in the human body, with calcium being the most abundant mineral. Around 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the skeleton and teeth, forming a crystal lattice of mineral salts in combination with phosphates. Calcium plays crucial roles in various bodily functions such as blood clotting, neurotransmitter release, muscle tone maintenance, and nervous and muscle tissue excitability.
The calcium concentration in blood plasma is primarily regulated...