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Hypocalcemia is common in the first 48 h of life in ELBW infants

Khalid Altirkawi1, Henry J Rozycki

  • 1Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0276, USA.

Journal of Perinatal Medicine
|July 5, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Serum calcium levels are lower in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants and may not indicate true hypocalcemia. New definitions are needed for this population to avoid unnecessary treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Early hypocalcemia incidence in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants is not well-defined.
  • The distribution of serum calcium values in ELBW infants is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Determine the range of serum calcium values in ELBW infants within the first 48 hours of life.
  • Identify risks associated with low serum calcium levels in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of ELBW infants admitted on day 1.
  • Collected demographic data, therapy details, serum calcium, pH, albumin, and ionized calcium levels.
  • Analyzed 381 calcium levels from 111 patients.

Main Results:

  • Mean serum calcium was 6.90 mg/dL (5th-95th percentile: 5.16-8.80).
  • Calcium levels increased after 24 hours of life.
  • 23.1% of calcium levels were low by current standards; 59.9% of infants had at least one low value.

Conclusions:

  • Serum calcium values are lower in ELBW infants and appear inconsequential.
  • Current definitions of hypocalcemia may need re-evaluation for ELBW infants.
Abstract

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