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Hypocalcemia and hypocalcemic tetany


Hello everyone,

what is the normal range of calcium 🙄?

it ranges from 9-11mg/dl

if it is 7-9 mg/ dl it gives us Latent tetany.

If it is < 7 mg/dl it gives us manifest tetany.

So , we should know What are the causes of hypocalcemia🙄?

1-as a complication of infantile rickets when the parathyroid fails to compensate as in hypo parathyroidism .

2-Alkalosis (in alkalosis :the amount of ionized calcium is decreased and protein bounded calcium increased)

  • Excess vomiting 
  • hyperventilation

postacidotic tetany due to rapid over correction with bicarbonates

3-hypomagnesmia as it is very impotant for the parathyroid function.

Clinical picture:

Latent tetany

1-chvostek’s sign: when you tap over the facial nerve in front of the ear there will be twitching of the muscles.

2-peroneal sign: tapping on the peroneal nerve at the fibula neck there will be twiches.

3-Trouasseau’ sign: inflation of the sphygmomanometer over the systolic for more than 4 minutes there will be twiches of the the muscles.

4-erb’s sign: applying a current < 5 mA causes contraction.

Manifest tetany

1-carpo-pedal spasm( extension of the in the interpharyngeal Joints , flexion of metacarpo-pharyngeal,adduction of the thumb,flexion of the wrist,extension and adduction of the feet and planter flexion of the toes.

2-laryngeal spasm

3-generalized convulsions 

Diagnosis made by:

clinical +lab ( ca<9) + radiology if rickets suspected

Treatment 

Emergency:1-Iv calcium gluconate slowly 5-10 ml of 10% solution over 10 minutes 

2- iv diazepam for the convulsions.3mg/kg/day

3-oxygen inhalation for the laryngeal spasm

Maintenance 

1-oral ca gluconate 200-500mg/kg/day divided 

2- oral vit D 4000 iu for 3 weeks in case of rickets 

3-treat the cause

Waiting for your comments 😃😃
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