Lima Memorial Health System Logo
Approximate ER WAIT TIME
5
Lima Memorial eHealth
Careers
Ways to Give

Health Library

Low calcium level - infants
     
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks

Low calcium level - infants

Hypocalcemia - infants

 

Calcium 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.

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 underactive parathyroid glands.

 

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.

 

Exams and Tests

 

Diagnosis is most often made when a blood test shows that the infant's calcium level is low.

 

Treatment

 

The baby may get extra calcium, if needed.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Problems with low calcium level in newborns or premature infants most often do not continue long-term.

 

 

Open References

References

Doyle DA. Hormones and peptides of calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 588.

Escobar O, Gurtunca N, Viswanathan P, Witchel SF. Pediatric endocrinology. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, Garrison J, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 9.

BACK TO TOPText only

 
  • Hypocalcemia

    Hypocalcemia

    illustration

    • Hypocalcemia

      Hypocalcemia

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

    Talking to your MD

     

      Self Care

       

        Tests for Low calcium level - infants

         
         

        Review Date: 12/10/2021

        Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

        The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
        © 1997- adam.comAll rights reserved.