Calcium and phosphate levels in Nigerian children with malaria.

Calcium and phosphate levels were investigated in 39 children with malaria (six severe and 33 uncomplicated) and in 39 healthy children. Hypocalcaemia (calcium <2.13 mmol/L, adjusted for albumin level) was detected in 23.1% of malaria cases and in 5.1% of controls, and hypophosphataemia (<1 mmol/L) in 38.5% of cases and in 15.4% of controls. Mean (SD) calcium levels in cases [2.26 (0/15)] were similar to those in controls [2.24 (0.12)]. In Nigerian children, hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia are associated with malaria.