Hypocalcemia - infants
Alternate Names : Calcium level - low - infants
Definition
Hypocalcemia is an abnormally low blood calcium level. This article discusses low blood calcium levels in infants.
Overview, Causes, & 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. Hypocalcemia is more likely to occur in newborns, especially in those who were born too early (preemies). Common causes of hypocalcemia in a newborn include:
- Certain medications
- 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 levels, such as DiGeorge syndrome and congenital hypoparathyroidism.
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