Abstract
To determine the potential role of endocrine factors in the pathogenesis of FDH, we have measured plasma PTH, calcitonin (CT) and calcium (Ca) concentrations (conc.) in 38 infants with documented hypocalcemia (Ca ≤7.5 mg/dl) and in known high risk groups of FDH including premature infants (n=51), asphyxiated newborns (25), and infants of diabetic mothers (IDM, n=22). Sequential blood specimens were drawn during the first week of life. PTH and CT were determined by a sensitive double-antibody RIA. Ca was measured by atomic absorption. Mean CT conc. in premature and asphyxiated infants during the first 2 days of life were increased nearly 10-fold above the mean of school-children or adult controls and they were significantly (p <.01) higher than CT conc. observed in healthy term infants. The highest CT conc. were determined in the group of hypocalcemic newborns (mean Ca ± SE:6.78 ± 0.1 mg/dl). PTH conc. were depressed and showed a delayed surge in the group of IDM and premature infants. However, in asphyxiated newborns hypocalcemia developed in spite of elevated PTH levels. Conclusion: Hypersecretion of CT may be an important cause of hypocalcemia during early postnatal life. Concomitant hypoparathyroidism may further augment the effect of hypercalcitoninemia.
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Schedewie, H., Fisher, D., Odell, W. et al. 891 ETIOLOGY OF FIRST DAY HYPOCALCEMIA (FDH): ROLE OF PTH AND CALCITONIN?. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 512 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00896
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00896
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