Studies in calcium metabolism in infants with intrauterine growth retardation.

Serial serum Ca values in 47 infants with intrauterine growth retardation were analyzed in relation to clinical and biochemical factors. Serum Ca concentrations in IUGR infants fell within the 95 percent confidence limits for serum Ca in infants whose birth weights were appropriate for gestational age. Serum Ca concentrations in IUGR infants were significantly correlated with birth asphyxia and bicarbonate therapy for acidosis. Serum Ca concentration at 24 hours of age was inversely correlated with serum P values. Thus the incidence of neonatal hyocalcemia in IUGR infants is not increased above the incidence expected from their respective gestational ages. Infants with IUGR who are well at birth do not appear to develop neonatal hypocalcemia, but IUGR infants who are asphyxiated at birth develop significant hypocalcemia.