hypocalcemia
Abnormally low blood calcium levels in neonates, often causing seizures, jitteriness, or feeding difficulties.
Full Definition
A metabolic disorder characterized by serum calcium levels below the normal range for age, typically defined as total calcium less than 8.0 mg/dL in term infants or ionized calcium below 4.4 mg/dL. In neonates, hypocalcemia commonly occurs in the first 72 hours of life due to immature parathyroid function or maternal factors such as diabetes mellitus. Clinical manifestations include muscle twitching, seizures, laryngospasm, feeding intolerance, and irritability. Early-onset hypocalcemia may be asymptomatic, while late-onset forms typically present with more dramatic symptoms. Treatment involves careful calcium supplementation with cardiac monitoring due to potential arrhythmias.
Usage
Usage note: Single word, not hyphenated; distinguish from hypocalciuria in medical documentation.
In Context
- "The infant's seizures were attributed to severe hypocalcemia requiring immediate calcium gluconate." — Emergency department note
- "Routine calcium monitoring revealed asymptomatic hypocalcemia in this infant of a diabetic mother." — Laboratory review