Prevalence of Hypocalcemia in Pediatrics With Lower Respiratory Tract Infections.

Abstract

A retrospective observational study aimed to assess blood calcium levels in children with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) from September 2023 to February 2024. A total of 225 eligible records were evaluated. Calcium deficiency was observed in 44.8% of children, hyperchloremia in 42.6%, and hyperkalemia in 36.8% on admission. The mean age was 16.8 ± 16.2 months, and the mean SpO₂ was 95.8 ± 2.5%. Although the risk of hypocalcemia was slightly higher in nonimmunized subjects (odds ratio = 1.04 [95% confidence interval = 0.59-1.85]), this was not statistically significant (P > .05). A negative correlation between normal calcium levels and body mass (r =-0.295, P = .001) suggests that higher body weight is linked to calcium imbalance. Immunization status and developmental history did not significantly affect the risk of hypocalcemia. The study highlights the importance of regular calcium monitoring in pediatric LRTI patients, as hypocalcemia was prevalent, particularly in those with higher body weight.