Abstract
Serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and total proteins were determined at 8 hour intervals during the first 48 hours of life in 27 neonates weighing under 1750 grams at birth, who were monitored for apnea. 14 babies developed recurrent apnea during the first 72 hours of life. The remaining 13 neonates had no distress. None of the 27 babies received calcium during the period of sampling. Calcium values were grouped into 9 consecutive 5 hour intervals and the mean value of the calcium levels in each intervals was plotted using the mid-point of the 5 hour interval for time. Using the standard polynomial regression for a quadratic response, the apneic subjects showed a decrease in calcium values to a level of 5.9 mgm./100 ml. at 32 hours of age. The minimum mean calcium value for the non-apneic babies was 8.3 mgm./100 ml. at 32 hours of age. Apenic babies had higher phosphorus values and lower total serum proteins than the non-apneic babies. Recurrent apnea was associated with an increased maternal age and a higher incidence of previous abortion. Apneic babies had higher incidence of 1 min. Apgar below 5 (75% vs. 30%). Apneic spells developed in most of the cases during the first 24 hours of life (22.1 hours average). Thus, for the most part of the onset of apnea precedes the development of hypocalcemia. Calcium urinary losses were similar in both groups. Calcium therapy appeared to reduce the number of apneic spells in 6 out of the 14 infants.
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Gershanik, J., Levkoff, A., Duncan, R. et al. The association of hypocalcemia with recurrent apnea of prematurity. Pediatr Res 5, 414 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00179
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00179