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Low calcium level - infants
Hypocalcemia - infantsCalcium is a mineral in the body. It is needed for strong bones and teeth. Calcium also helps the heart, nerves, muscles, and other body systems work well.
A low blood calcium level is called hypocalcemia. This article discusses low blood calcium level in infants.
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Causes
A healthy baby most often has very careful control of blood calcium level.
A low calcium level in the blood is more likely to occur in newborns, more commonly in those who were born too early (preemies). Common causes of hypocalcemia in a newborn include:
- Certain medicines
- Diabetes in the birth mother
- Episodes of very low oxygen levels
- Infection
- Stress caused by serious illness
There are also some rare illnesses that can lead to low calcium level. These include:
- DiGeorge syndrome, a genetic disorder.
- The parathyroid glands help control calcium use and removal by the body. Rarely, a child is born with an underactive parathyroid glands.
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Symptoms
Babies with hypocalcemia often have no symptoms. Sometimes, babies with low calcium levels are jittery or have tremors or twitching. Rarely, they have seizures.
These babies may also have a slow heart rate and low blood pressure.
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Exams and Tests
Diagnosis is most often made when a blood test shows that the infant's calcium level is low.
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Treatment
The baby may get extra calcium, if needed.
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Outlook (Prognosis)
Problems with low calcium level in newborns or premature infants most often do not continue long-term.
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References
Escobar O, Viswanathan P, Witchel SF. Pediatric endocrinology. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 9.
Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF. Electrolyte and acid-base disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 55.
