acute hypocalcaemia

Last reviewed 03/2023

Commonly:

• hyperventilation inducing a transient hypocalcaemia; serum total calcium levels normal

Less commonly:

• alkalosis due to alkali infusion to treat acidosis, salicylate poisoning
• high phosphate:
• rapid tumour lysis - e.g. cytotoxic treatment of leukaemia
• excessive phosphate intake - e.g. phosphate containing enemas, excessive oral phosphate (infant milk feeds), parenteral phosphorous
• high citrate from massive blood transfusion if liver cannot metabolise adequately
• acute pancreatitis