Early Onset Hypocalcaemia in Sick Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study

Authors

  • Rimjhim Sonowal Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Ajagara, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – 221005, India
  • Ashok Kumar Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Ajagara, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – 221005, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v42i1.39298

Keywords:

Hypocalcaemia, Ionized calcium, Outcome, Sick newborn

Abstract

Introduction: Calcium physiology is in transitional state after birth and may be deranged by various neonatal disorders leading to hypocalcaemia. Coexisting hypocalcaemia can further worsen underlying condition and increase mortality. This prospective observational study was done to study the incidence, clinical correlates and outcome of early onset hypocalcaemia in sick newborns.

Methods: A prospective observational study was done on 175 sick newborns. Ionized serum calcium levels were measured at six, 24, 48 and 72 hours of age by arterial blood gas analyzer. Maternal and neonatal characteristics, ionized calcium levels, clinical course and outcomes were recorded. Patient characteristics and neonatal morbidities were compared between hypercalcaemic group and normocalcaemic group by chi square test. Odds ratio was calculated to see correlation between hypocalcaemia with respiratory support and death.

Results: Early onset hypocalcaemia occurred in 101 of 175 (57.7%) sick newborns. Early onset hypocalcaemia was higher in preterm babies (59.7%) than term babies (54.1%). Meconium stained amniotic fluid, obstructed labour and MAS were significantly associated with early onset hypocalcaemia. Newborns with MAS and HIE had high incidence of hypocalcaemia in both term and preterm groups. Newborns with hypocalcaemia were more likely to receive mechanical ventilation (OR 2.84; CI 1.28-6.30; p value 0.01) and had higher mortality (OR 2.10; CI 1.02-4.33; p value 0.04).

Conclusions: Early onset hypocalcaemia is very common in sick newborns. Meconium aspiration syndrome was a significant risk factor for early onset hypocalcaemia. Early onset hypocalcaemia was associated with higher odds of receipt of mechanical ventilation and mortality

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
125
PDF
159

Downloads

Published

2022-11-27

How to Cite

Sonowal, R. ., & Kumar, A. . (2022). Early Onset Hypocalcaemia in Sick Newborns: A Prospective Observational Study. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society, 42(1), 39–44. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v42i1.39298

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2022 RIMJHIM SONOWAL, ASHOK KUMAR

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).