Clinical significance of serum calcium in neonates with asphyxia.

Objective To discuss the changes of serum calcium in neonates with asphyxia and the relations of the serum calcium,the degree of asphyxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.Methods The level of serum calcium in 60 patients was determinated and divided into groups according to the degree of asphyxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.Results The level of serum calcium was positively correlated with the degree of asphyxia.The more serious asphyxia,the lower serum calcium,particularly in 24h.Hypocalcemia were more likely to occur in children with fetal distress.The level of serum calcium were closely related to the degree of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy,the more severe disease,the lower serum calcium.Conclusion The serum calcium is closely related to the degree of asphyxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.The dynamic observation of the serum calcium in neonates with asphyxia is important to the assessment and prognosis of disease.