ABSTRACT
We conducted a prospective, double-blind study of 43 preterm infants to examine the
effect of a single calcium gluconate infusion as therapy for neonatal hypocalcemia
on serum calcium concentrations and hypocalcemic signs in preterm infants with low
total serum calcium concentrations. Total and ionized serum calcium was measured and
signs of irritability, jitteriness, and twitching were scored (scale 0-9) by blinded
observers before and after receiving one dose of either calcium gluconate (100 mg/kg)
or placebo (normal saline). Total and ionized serum calcium increased 3 to 6 hours
following the calcium, but not the placebo, infusion. Of the infants with hypocalcemic
signs, the average score of hypocalcemic signs decreased in the 11 calcium-treated
infants; the 12 infants with hypocalcemic signs showed no change of hypocalcemic signs
following treatment with placebo. We conclude from this study that a single dose of
calcium gluconate (100 mg/kg) in hypocalcemic preterm infants raise total and ionized
serum calcium and decrease clinical signs of hypocalcemia.
Keywords
Total calcium - ionized calcium - preterm infant
