title: Measurement of ionised calcium concentration in neonates.
abstract: Whole blood ionised calcium concentration was measured simultaneously in capillary and arterial blood from neonates being nursed on an intensive care unit using an ion selective electrode. The mean arterio-capillary difference was -0.027 mmol/l (95% confidence intervals -0.041 to -0.012 mmol/l) and the limits of agreement between the two measurements were 0.034 and -0.088 mmol/l. Measurement of ionised calcium in capillary blood is acceptable for clinical purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Veligati
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Sims
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chiswick
authors.forename: M Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Mughal
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D002196:Capillaries; D004566:Electrodes; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D007477:Ions
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D002118:Calcium