Biomaterial Database

Circulating immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels in premature infants and the response to calcium therapy. 1985

L J Cooper, and C S Anast

Serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels were measured in 13 premature infants during the first 96 hours of life. Hypocalcemia at 12-24 hours of age was associated with a markedly elevated mean serum iPTH level. Six of the hypocalcemic infants received a continuous infusion of calcium while seven were not treated. In the untreated infants, the mean serum calcium remained in the hypocalcemic range while the serum iPTH progressively increased. By contrast, the mean serum calcium in the treated infants increased to 2.35 mmol/l at 96 hours of age and was accompanied by a decline in serum iPTH. At 72 and 96 hours, the mean serum iPTH was twofold greater in the untreated than in the treated infants. The results indicate that the parathyroid glands of premature infants respond to calcium signals and that a factor(s), other than parathyroid insufficiency, plays an etiologic role in the hypocalcemia of prematurity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006996	Hypocalcemia	Reduction of the blood calcium below normal. Manifestations include hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, Chvostek's sign, muscle and abdominal cramps, and carpopedal spasm. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Hypocalcemias
D007231	Infant, Newborn	An infant during the first 28 days after birth.	Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D007234	Infant, Premature	A human infant born before 37 weeks of GESTATION.	Neonatal Prematurity,Premature Infants,Preterm Infants,Infant, Preterm,Infants, Premature,Infants, Preterm,Premature Infant,Prematurity, Neonatal,Preterm Infant
D007263	Infusions, Parenteral	The administration of liquid medication, nutrient, or other fluid through some other route than the alimentary canal, usually over minutes or hours, either by gravity flow or often by infusion pumping.	Intra-Abdominal Infusions,Intraperitoneal Infusions,Parenteral Infusions,Peritoneal Infusions,Infusion, Intra-Abdominal,Infusion, Intraperitoneal,Infusion, Parenteral,Infusion, Peritoneal,Infusions, Intra-Abdominal,Infusions, Intraperitoneal,Infusions, Peritoneal,Intra Abdominal Infusions,Intra-Abdominal Infusion,Intraperitoneal Infusion,Parenteral Infusion,Peritoneal Infusion
D010281	Parathyroid Hormone	A polypeptide hormone (84 amino acid residues) secreted by the PARATHYROID GLANDS which performs the essential role of maintaining intracellular CALCIUM levels in the body. Parathyroid hormone increases intracellular calcium by promoting the release of CALCIUM from BONE, increases the intestinal absorption of calcium, increases the renal tubular reabsorption of calcium, and increases the renal excretion of phosphates.	Natpara,PTH (1-84),PTH(1-34),Parathormone,Parathyrin,Parathyroid Hormone (1-34),Parathyroid Hormone (1-84),Parathyroid Hormone Peptide (1-34),Hormone, Parathyroid
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man