title: Steroid-induced hypocalcaemia with tetany in a patient with hypoparathyroidism.
abstract: Although glucocorticoids have a known negative effect on calcium balance, they do not normally cause clinically significant hypocalcaemia. A young woman with post-surgical hypoparathyroidism developed symptomatic hypocalcaemia on two occasions following treatment with intravenous hydrocortisone for allergic reactions. Oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation could not prevent the development of hypocalcaemia. She was treated successfully with intravenous calcium gluconate infusions and discontinuation of glucocorticoids. In patients with hypoparathyroidism, impaired parathyroid hormone response to steroid-induced negative calcium balance may result in severe symptomatic hypocalcaemia requiring hospitalisation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, "A. Fleming" General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oikonomou
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, "A. Fleming" General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ageliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laina
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, "A. Fleming" General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Aikaterini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Xydaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, "A. Fleming" General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Christopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D013746:Tetany / Q000209:etiology*; D014312:Trisaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014312:Trisaccharides; C042131:calcium glubionate; D002118:Calcium; D006854:Hydrocortisone