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Hypocalcaemia in severe meningococcal infections
  1. Paul B Bainesa,
  2. Alistair P J Thomsonb,
  3. William D Fraserc,
  4. C Anthony Hartd
  1. aPaediatric Intensive Care Unit, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital, Eaton Rd, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK, bInstitute of Child Health, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital, cUniversity Department of Endocrinology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK, dUniversity Department of Medical Microbiology and Genito-Urinary Medicine, University of Liverpool
  1. Dr Baines email: p.baines{at}liverpool.ac.uk

Abstract

AIM To determine the incidence of hypocalcaemia in critically ill children with meningococcal disease.

METHODS In a prospective cohort study, 70 of 80 patients admitted consecutively with a clinical diagnosis of meningococcal disease to intensive care had measurements of total and ionised calcium on admission. Parathormone and calcitonin were measured in a proportion of the children.

RESULTS Total and ionised calcium concentrations were low in 70% of the children. There was a weak relation of calcium concentration to the volume of blood derived colloid which had been given, but a good relation to disease severity, where sicker children had lower calcium concentrations. Although the parathormone concentration was higher in children with lower calcium concentrations, some children had low ionised calcium concentrations, without an increase of parathormone concentration. Serum calcitonin concentration was not related to calcium concentrations.

CONCLUSION Hypocalcaemia is common in meningococcal disease.

  • hypocalcaemia
  • meningococcal infections
  • critical care

https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.83.6.510

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