Hypocalcemia is defined as:
- Infant: total serum calcium concentration of less than 1.8 mmol/L
- Older children: total serum calcium concentration of less than 2 mmol/L
Presentation:
- Stridor
- Paresthesia and tingling sensation around the mouth, fingers, and toes
- Tetany with carpopedal spasms
- Seizures
- Chvostek sign
- Trousseau sign
Two Signs You Need to Remember
Chvostek Sign
Tap on the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve (zygomatic bone) and observe the twitching of the mouth
Trousseau Sign
Carpopedal spasm occurs when BP cuff is inflated above systolic pressure 160 mmHg for 3 minutes