title: Iatrogenic hypocalcemic tetany.
abstract: The treatment of a patient with hypocalcemic tetany secondary to sodium phosphate enemas is reported. The patient presented with a serum calcium level of 5.2 mg/dL and a phosphate level of 17.5 mg/dL. Physical manifestations included tetanic contraction of the muscles of the legs and arms. There was rapid symptomatic resolution with IV calcium. The electrolyte imbalance normalized over the next two days with oral calcium supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Naval Hospital, San Diego, California 92134-5000.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Edmondson
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Almquist
mesh_terms: D002125:Calcium Gluconate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004630:Emergencies; D004733:Enema / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013746:Tetany / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates; C018279:sodium phosphate; D002125:Calcium Gluconate