Infantile Low Calcium Level Overview
Learn About Infantile Low Calcium Level
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. Hypocalcemia can occur at any age.
Hypocalcemia - infants
A healthy baby most often has very careful control of the blood calcium level by normal bodily systems.
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 blood 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.
Babies with hypocalcemia often have no symptoms. Sometimes, babies with low blood 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.
The baby may get extra calcium, if needed.
Monica Serrano-Gonzalez is a Pediatric Endocrinologist and an Endocrinologist in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Dr. Serrano-Gonzalez and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Infantile Low Calcium Level. Her top areas of expertise are Obesity in Children, Infantile Low Calcium Level, Hypothyroidism, and Obesity.
Sachin Amin is a Neonatologist and a Pediatrics provider in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Amin and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Infantile Low Calcium Level. His top areas of expertise are Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Infantile Low Calcium Level, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, and Premature Infant. Dr. Amin is currently accepting new patients.
Sanjay Bansal is a Pediatric Endocrinologist and an Endocrinologist in Maywood, Illinois. Dr. Bansal and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Infantile Low Calcium Level. His top areas of expertise are Familial Short Stature (FSS), Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS), and Infantile Low Calcium Level. Dr. Bansal is currently accepting new patients.
Problems with a low blood calcium level in newborns or premature infants most often do not continue for a long term.
Background: Hypocalcemia is a common metabolic problem in neonatal period. Most cases of hypocalcemia are asymptomatic however, the symptomatic cases require prompt management.
Published Date: November 06, 2023
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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.