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.