NEONATAL HYPOCALCEMIA ASSOCIATED WITH ROTAVIRUS DIARRHEA

We observed an association between rotavirus diarrhoea and hypocalcaem ia in several patients and therefore started a prospective evaluation with measurement of calcium levels in all patients with rotavirus infe ction during a period of 8 months. We report on 54 infants with rotavi rus gastro-enteritis. Serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, and t otal and ionized calcium were measured on admission. If hypocalcaemia was detected, total and ionized calcium were measured every day until recovery. Calcium was supplemented as calcium gluconate which was adde d to milk. Out of 54 newborns with rotavirus gastro-enteritis, 20 deve loped hypocalcaemia. all these newborns had severe diarrhoea. Seven in fants were admitted because of convulsions, but EEG and ultrasonograph ic examination of the brain revealed no abnormalities. Once the infant s' clinical condition and the consistency and frequency of the stool h ad improved, calcium concentrations increased and remained within the reference range without supplementation. Conclusion Rotavirus gastro-e nteritis seems to be a cause of neonatal hypocalcaemia.