title: Extravasation of calcium gluconate concomitant with osteomyelitis in a neonate.
abstract: Extravasation of calcium gluconate is not an uncommon complication in neonatal units, which may result in skin and soft tissue inflammation, injury and even infection. We report an 11-day-old preterm infant who developed osteomyelitis at an infiltrated intravenous site through which calcium gluconate was infused. The patient was initially treated conservatively as a simple calcium-infiltrate. Clinical condition deteriorated until proper antibiotic treatment was given. We exclude other possible causes and assume that calcium-infiltrate had an important role in the pathogenesis. We conclude that osteomyelitis should be considered in a patient with calcium extravasation whose soft tissue inflammation does not improve as expected. Furthermore, using a diluted calcium solution and checking the insertion site frequently in order to identify extravasation earlier would prevent the complication.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Chou
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Yi-Hung
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Chao-Ran
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chi-Chia
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D002125:Calcium Gluconate / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007866:Leg / Q000473:pathology; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D002125:Calcium Gluconate