Hypocalcemia / Albumin-Corrected
The Calcium Correction Calculator provides weight-based IV dosing for treating hypocalcaemia, covering both calcium chloride and calcium gluconate, plus a magnesium sulphate dose since low magnesium can cause refractory hypocalcaemia. It calculates calcium chloride 10–20 mg/kg (preferred via central line), calcium gluconate 100 mg/kg (peripheral-vein acceptable), and magnesium sulphate 25–50 mg/kg. The tool also lists the recommended work-up before treatment.
CaCl₂ 10–20 mg/kg IV every 10 minutes, to a maximum of 500 mg per dose, preferably via central venous line.
Calcium gluconate 10% at 1 mL/kg (100 mg/kg) IV over 10 minutes, to a maximum of 40 mL (4 g) per dose; the app notes it is acceptable via a peripheral vein.
The app explains that hypomagnesaemia causes refractory hypocalcaemia, so magnesium (25–50 mg/kg MgSO₄, max 2.5 g/dose) should be replaced alongside calcium.
It recommends a CMP, phosphate, magnesium, PTH, vitamin D, urine calcium/creatinine and protein, ionised calcium, an ECG for prolonged QTc, and a left-wrist X-ray for evidence of rickets.
The app notes calcium chloride delivers roughly three times more elemental calcium than calcium gluconate but is also more sclerosing to veins, so a central venous line or large peripheral vein is preferred.