[Hypocalcemia, emergency or not ?]

Hypocalcemia is a common condition in general internal medicine. It is defined as an ionized calcium level lower than 1,12 mmol/l or, more commonly, as a corrected calcium for albumin level below 2,20 mmol/l. Its severity is determined by the clinical symptoms observed, which can be potentially fatal (for example : a laryngospasm, seizures or malignant arrhythmias), and depends on both the calcium level and the rate at which it develops. Prompt management is essential, based on the underlying cause, to normalize serum calcium and rapidly address the symptoms. This article provides a brief overview of calcium metabolism, a description of the common causes of hypocalcemia, the necessary initial laboratory workup, as well as a management algorithm for acute hypocalcemia.