pediatrics
Neonatal Hypocalcemia
Introduction
Hypocalcemia is a total serum calcium concentration<8 mg/dL (<2 mmol/L) in term infants or<7 mg/dL (<1.75 mmol/L) in preterm infants. It is also defined as an ionized calcium level<3.0 to 4.4 mg/dL (<0.75 to 1.10 mmol/L), depending on the method (type of electrode) used. Signs are primarily neurologic and include hypotonia, apnea, and tetany. Treatment is IV or oral calcium supplementation. (See also general discussion of Hypocalcemia .) 