Question
How is the differential diagnosis of neonatal hypocalcemia conducted? What are the main causes of neonatal hypocalcemia? Please provide relevant information for reference.
Answer
After birth, the supply of calcium from the mother is suddenly interrupted, leading to a decrease in blood calcium levels. The normal concentration of total calcium in the blood is 2.5 millimoles/liter (10 milligrams/deciliter). Hypocalcemia is one of the important causes of seizures in the neonatal period. It is diagnosed when the total calcium concentration in the blood is below 1.75 to 2 millimoles/liter (7.0 to 8.0 milligrams/deciliter) or when the free calcium concentration is below 0.9 millimoles/liter (3.5 milligrams/deciliter).