Hypocalcemia

For the disorder of high blood calcium, see Hypercalcemia.
Hypocalcemia
Calcium chloride ampoules
SpecialtyEndocrinology
SymptomsNumbness, muscle spasms, seizures, confusion[1][2]
ComplicationsCardiac arrest[1][2]
CausesHypoparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, kidney failure, pancreatitis, calcium channel blocker overdose, rhabdomyolysis, tumor lysis syndrome, bisphosphonates[1][2]
Diagnostic methodBlood serum < 2.1 mmol/L (corrected calcium or ionized calcium)[1][2][3]
TreatmentCalcium supplements, vitamin D, magnesium sulfate.[1][2]
Frequency~18% of people in hospital[4]

Hypocalcemia is a medical condition characterized by low calcium levels in the blood serum.[5] The normal range of blood calcium is typically between 2.1–2.6 mmol/L (8.8–10.7 mg/dL, 4.3–5.2 mEq/L), while levels less than 2.1 mmol/L are defined as hypocalcemic.[1][3][6] Mildly low levels that develop slowly often have no symptoms.[2][4] Otherwise symptoms may include numbness, muscle spasms, seizures, confusion, or in extreme cases cardiac arrest.[1][2]

The most common cause for hypocalcemia is iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism.[2] Other causes include other forms of hypoparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, kidney failure, pancreatitis, calcium channel blocker overdose, rhabdomyolysis, tumor lysis syndrome, and medications such as bisphosphonates or denosumab.[1] Diagnosis should generally be confirmed by determining the corrected calcium or ionized calcium level.[2] Specific changes may also be seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG).[1]

Initial treatment for severe disease is with intravenous calcium chloride and possibly magnesium sulfate.[1] Other treatments may include vitamin D, magnesium, and calcium supplements.[2] If due to hypoparathyroidism, hydrochlorothiazide, phosphate binders, and a low salt diet may also be recommended.[2] About 18% of people who are being treated in hospital have hypocalcemia.[4]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Soar, J; Perkins, GD; Abbas, G; Alfonzo, A; Barelli, A; Bierens, JJ; Brugger, H; Deakin, CD; Dunning, J; Georgiou, M; Handley, AJ; Lockey, DJ; Paal, P; Sandroni, C; Thies, KC; Zideman, DA; Nolan, JP (October 2010). "European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2010 Section 8. Cardiac arrest in special circumstances: Electrolyte abnormalities, poisoning, drowning, accidental hypothermia, hyperthermia, asthma, anaphylaxis, cardiac surgery, trauma, pregnancy, electrocution". Resuscitation. 81 (10): 1400–33. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2010.08.015. PMID 20956045.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Fong, J; Khan, A (February 2012). "Hypocalcemia: updates in diagnosis and management for primary care". Canadian Family Physician. 58 (2): 158–62. PMC 3279267. PMID 22439169.
  3. ^ a b Pathy, M.S. John (2006). "Appendix 1: Conversion of SI Units to Standard Units". Principles and practice of geriatric medicine. Vol. 2 (4. ed.). Chichester [u.a.]: Wiley. p. Appendix. doi:10.1002/047009057X.app01. ISBN 9780470090558.
  4. ^ a b c Cooper, MS; Gittoes, NJ (7 June 2008). "Diagnosis and management of hypocalcaemia". BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.). 336 (7656): 1298–302. doi:10.1136/bmj.39582.589433.be. PMC 2413335. PMID 18535072.
  5. ^ LeMone, Priscilla; Burke, Karen; Dwyer, Trudy; Levett-Jones, Tracy; Moxham, Lorna; Reid-Searl, Kerry (2015). Medical-Surgical Nursing. Pearson Higher Education AU. p. 237. ISBN 9781486014408. Archived from the original on 2016-10-02.
  6. ^ Minisola, S; Pepe, J; Piemonte, S; Cipriani, C (2 June 2015). "The diagnosis and management of hypercalcaemia". BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.). 350: h2723. doi:10.1136/bmj.h2723. PMID 26037642. S2CID 28462200.