Prevalence of hypocalcemia in children examined for serum calcium in Sana'a, Yemen

Authors

• Mabrook A. BinMohanna, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sanaa University, Sana'a, Yemen.
• Yahia A. Rajaa, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sanaa University, Sana'a, Yemen.
• Ghassan A. Saif, Specialized Pediatric Center, Sana'a, Yemen

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of hypocalcemia in children examined for serum calcium. METHODS: A record-based study was carried out in the Specialized Pediatric Center in Sana9a city, Yemen during the 4 year period 1999 to 2003. Out of 90600 patients seen for different causes, 310 (0.34%) were subjected to serum calcium level examination. Data regarding age and gender were also collected. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 5 months, with minimum age of one day and maximum age of 4 years. Prevalence of hypocalcemia among children examined for serum calcium was 58%, 60% of them were males and 40% were females. Age group of 0-1 months constituted 17.8% while the age group of 1-3 months constituted 17.2%. Patients with serum calcium level between 4-6 mg constituted 27.8% and less than 7.5 mg were 72.2%. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of hypocalcemia in children examined for serum calcium was high. Males were more affected than females and was more in neonates followed by age 1-3 months then age 3-6 months.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

457

Last Page

459

Recommended Citation

BinMohanna, Mabrook A.; Rajaa, Yahia A.; and Saif, Ghassan A. (2005) "Prevalence of hypocalcemia in children examined for serum calcium in Sana'a, Yemen," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 26: Iss. 3, Article 19.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.2881