Association of Hypocalcemia with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Neonates: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan

Objective

To determine the frequency of hypocalcemia among neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and to assess its correlation with disease severity and short-term clinical outcomes. Methodology: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore. A total of 203 neonates with echocardiographically confirmed PPHN were enrolled consecutively. Ionized calcium was measured within 48 hours of echocardiography. Hypocalcemia was defined as ionized calcium <1.10 mmol/L for birth weight ≥1500 g and <0.90 mmol/L for <1500 g. PPHN severity was graded as moderate or severe. Statistical comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney U, independent t-test, and chi-square tests, with p ≤0.05 considered significant.