Obadha_Serum calcium levels in the first three days of life at the Kenyatta National Hospital maternity unit

Abstract

Serum levels of calcium, inorganic phosphates and proteins, were determined for venous and cord blood samples obtained from neomates born at Kenyatta National Hospital Maternity t and fro their mothers within the first 72 hours of life. Mean serum calcium value was highest in cord blood (11.3 mg/dl, range 7.7 to 14.6 mg/dlr SD 1.7) and lowest in asphyxiated low birth eight infants (7.9 mg/dl range 5-11.4 mgldl. SD 1.6). Total serum of less than 7. 5mg/dl was found among 11.7% of all infants 27.3% of low birth weight 32.3% of asphyxiated, and 2.6% of normal full term infants. Neomatal hypocalcaemia was significantly higher among low birth weight infants and in babies with birth asphyxia than normal full term infants. No clinical symptomatology noted among the 14 hypocaleaemic infants.