ESPE Abstracts

Background: Neonatal hypocalcemia is defined when the total calcium levels are under 8 mg/dl (Ionic Ca < 1.1 mmol/l) in the full-term newborn, and under 7 mg/dl (Ionic Ca < 1 mmol/l) in the preterm. The fetus entirely depends on the maternal contributions of 25-OH-vitamin D, whose levels are directly correlated with diet and solar exposure. The largest transfer in calcium and vitamin D occurs in the third trimester of gestation, so prematurity is an important risk fact...