Almost two-thirds of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals have hypocalcemia — lower-than-average levels of calcium in the liquid part of their blood or plasma. Studies show patients with hypocalcemia are more likely to require high oxygen support during hospitalization and are twice as likely to end up in ICU.
Calcium is essential for regulating the body’s inflammatory response and hypocalcemia is common among critically ill patients. Based on an analysis of 316 hospitalized patients, one study found that patients with COVID-19 infections who also test positive for hypocalcemia could have a worse outcome. The study shows that patients with a serum calcium lower than 8.5 mg/dL are at risk for needing higher oxygen support and ICU admission, but not for death.
Calcium is an inflammation mediator and some study authors support the theory that hypocalcemia can act as a regulator of inflammation. However, researchers noted that further studies are needed in order to understand the role calcium metabolism plays in the physical symptoms of viral infections.
SOURCE: International Journal of Infectious Diseases December 2, 2020