BEHAVIORAL-MODIFICATIONS DURING NEONATAL HYPOCALCEMIA

Clinical, behavioural findings and outcome of 84 newborn with transien t hypocalcemia, have been reported 66 patients were affected by early hypocalcemia 1 degrees group), 18 by late hypocalcemia (2 degrees grou p). In the first group clinical features were characterized by clonic seizures (41%), jitteriness (27%), tonic seizures (23%), 9% of cases w as asymptomatic. 64% of these patients manifested neurobehavioural cha nges diagnosed by modified Neurologic Adaptive Capacity Scoring System (NACS); they presented a strong response to sound and light, a bad ha bituation, an easy consolability anomalies of crying and motor activit y. Alertness was normal in the most of cases. In the second group clin ical features were characterized by seizures (83%) and tonic seizures (17%). At NACS, anomalies were releaved in 67% of patients. In these c ases the response to sound and light was mild, the habituation was goo d, the consolability was difficult; anomalies of crying and motor acti vity were frequent. State of consciousness was normal in all patients. At follow-up, performed until patients were two years old, the psycho motor development was normal (Brunet-Lezine: score > 90) in all patien ts but one of the first group who suffered from birth asphyxia. All su bjects of the second group had a normal psychomotor development.