P71: Transitory neonatal disorders of calcium and magnesium metabolism

P71.2: Neonatal hypomagnesaemia

Magnesium is one of the minerals that are taken in via food. While in the womb, the child gets minerals via the mother's blood and the placenta. Magnesium is important for the body, so that muscles and nerves can work properly.

There can be various reasons why a baby's magnesium level is low. For example, the baby may be getting too little magnesium via its food. The baby may also be excreting large amounts of magnesium via its kidneys or intestines. This can occur when there is some other disorder or the baby has diarrhea. The baby's magnesium level may also be low if the mother has diabetes during pregnancy.

When the magnesium level in a baby's blood is too low, there may be different indications. It may have breathing problems, for example. A muscle weakness may be noted.