Abstract
Infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) are prone to develop neonatal hypocalcemia (NHC) more frequently than control infants. To evaluate the possible role of thyrocalcitonin (TCT) as a cause of NHC a group of 12 IDM was studied and compared with 11 control infants. The IDM had a significantly lower Ca level in serum (both total and ultrafiltrable) than the controls at 24 hrs, despite equal values at birth. Both groups had a significant increase of the TCT level at 24 hrs compared with 0 and 48 hrs. No significant difference between the 2 groups was, however, observed. The Ca level in serum at 24 hrs was significantly correlated to the TCT value in IDM but not in controls. In 2 controls and 3 IDM the concentration of parathyroid hormone in blood was measured at 0, 24 and 48 hrs. All infants had markedly reduced levels, compared to adult standards. One IDM, who developed NHC, increased the concentration of parathyroid hormone 3 times without affecting the serum Ca but with an increased phosphaturia.-It is suggested that NHC is related to the high concentrations of TCT which inhibit the mobilizing effect on Ca from the skeleton by parathyroid hormone. The high incidence of NHC in IDM is ascribed to a more rapid turn-over of Ca in the skeleton of these infants--enhancing the effect of TCT.
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Bergman, L., Kjellaer, I. & Selatam, U. NEONATAL HYPOCALCEMIA IN INFANTS OF DIABETIC MOTHERS-HORMONAL EFFECTS. Pediatr Res 8, 140 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197402000-00083
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197402000-00083