Hypocalcaemia

• reduced Calcium levels

Clinical Features

• Neuromuscular

  • numbness / paraesthesia

  • muscle cramps / spasms

    • Trouseaus Sign

    • Chvosteks Sign

• CNS

  • behavioural disturbances and stupor

  • depression

  • convulsions

• Cataracts

• ECG

  • prolonged QT interval

Causes

• Inappropriate low parathyroid hormone (Hypoparathyroidism)

  • surgical removal of parathyroids

  • surgical damage during thyroidectomy

  • autoimmune attack of parathyroids

  • severe magnesium deficiency

  • neonatal

• Appropriately increased parathyroid hormone level (secondary hyperparathyroidism)

  • malnutrition

  • malabsorption - steatorrhea

  • impaired vitamin D metabolism

    • lack of UV light

    • severe liver disease

    • renal disease

    • inherited enzyme deficiencies

  • Vitamin D inactivation

    • anticonvulsants

• Very high parathyroid hormone levels

  • Pseudohypoparathyroidism

[ Home ] [ Up ]