Alternative Names
Calcium level – low – infants
Definition of Hypocalcemia – infants
Hypocalcemia is an abnormally low blood calcium level. This article discusses low blood calcium levels in infants.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Calcium is a salt that helps the heart and muscles work. A healthy baby usually has very careful control of blood calcium levels.
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.
Signs and tests
Diagnosis is usually made when a blood test shows that the infant’s calcium levels are low.
Treatment
The baby may get extra calcium, if needed.
Expectations (prognosis)
Problems with low calcium levels in newborns or premature infants usually do not continue long-term.
Review
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. – 11/2/2009
