Hypocalcemia in Baby

DEFINITION

Hypocalcemia is low blood calcium levels.

CAUSE

Calcium is a salt that helps the heart and skeletal muscles of the body to work. A healthy baby usually has control of blood calcium levels are good.

Low blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia) are more likely to occur in newborn infants, especially babies born prematurely. Some causes of hypocalcemia in a newborn who often include:

·         the use of certain drugs

·         diabetes in the mother

·         the time when the baby's oxygen levels are very low, for instance during delivery

·         infection

·         stress in infants due to severe disease

In addition, there are some rare disorder, which can cause low levels of calcium in the blood, such as DiGeorge syndrome and congenital hypoparathyroidism.

Hypocalcemia that occurs shortly after birth, the cause is not fully understood, but it is likely related to the termination of the sudden flow of calcium from the mother.

Hypocalcemia can also result from high phosphate levels in the blood. This can occur in older infants who are given cow's milk for phosphate content in cow's milk is very high.

SYMPTOMS

Babies with hypocalcemia often have no symptoms. But sometimes, babies with low calcium levels may have symptoms such as:

·         weak muscle tone

·         stopping breathing (apnea)

·         Strong does not suck

·         difficult to eat

·         stiffness in the body (tetany)

·         tremors or twitching (the jerking of the body)

·         convulsions

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis is confirmed by examining the level of calcium in the blood.

TREATMENT

If needed, given extra calcium to a certain amount, either by mouth or intravenously.

REFERENCE

- J, Nicholas. Neonatal Hypocalcemia. The Merck Manual. 2012.

- K, Neil K. Hypocalcemia - Infants. Medline Plus. 2011.