hypocalcemia

noun

hy·​po·​cal·​ce·​mia ˌhī-pō-ˌkal-ˈsē-mē-ə 

: a deficiency of calcium in the blood

hypocalcemic

ˌhī-pō-ˌkal-ˈsē-mik 

adjective

Examples of hypocalcemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some other examples include lung diseases such as pneumonia, metabolic disorders such as hypocalcemia, kidney diseases like renal cell carcinoma, and hiccups can also be a symptom of tumors in the brain stem or stomach. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024

In severe cases, hypocalcemia can lead to depression, paresthesias (abnormal sensations), parkinsonism (slowed movements, muscle rigidity, and tremors), and seizures. —Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024

Each year, the E.R. at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano, Nigeria’s second-largest city, received one or two cases of hypocalcemia caused by malnutrition, said Salisu Garba, a kindly health worker who hurried from bed to bed, ward to ward. —Ismail Auwal Taiwo Aina, New York Times, 11 June 2024

For severe hypocalcemia, intravenous infusions may be necessary.¹¹ If hypoparathyroidism is causing low blood calcium, calcium/vitamin D supplements may be needed for life. —Sandra Gordon, Health, 9 Feb. 2024

Other associated conditions are hypocalcemia (low blood calcium, which can cause numbness, tingling, and muscle cramping) and osteopenia, an overall loss of bone density and mass. —Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2023

David had persistent hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels) and frequent infections because of inadequate levels of T cells in his immune system. —Mark Cohen, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2014

Causes of newborn hypocalcemia can have their source in either the mother or the baby. —Julia Michie Bruckner, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2022

One of the main causes of death among hens, hypocalcemia, or low blood calcium levels, was most prevalent in aviaries. —David Gelles, New York Times, 16 July 2016

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hypocalcemia

• academia
• acidemia
• azotemia
• bacteremia
• hyperaemia
• hyperemia
• hypoxemia
• septicaemia
• septicemia
• thalassaemia
• thalassemia
• tularemia

Medical Definition

hypocalcemia

noun

hy·​po·​cal·​ce·​mia

variants or chiefly British hypocalcaemia

ˌhī-pō-ˌkal-ˈsē-mē-ə 

: a deficiency of calcium in the blood

hypocalcemic adjective

or chiefly British hypocalcaemic

-mik