INFLUENCE OF DIET ON THE OCCURRENCE OF HYPERPHOSPHATEMIA AND HYPOCALCEMIA IN THE NEWBORN INFANT

Abstract
Studies on the effect of diets on the serum calcium and phosphorus levels in the newborn infant have been made. Human milk has been found to be the most effective in maintaining a normal calcium and phosphorus level. Evaporated milk has been found to be the least satisfactory because it tends to produce the largest number of instances of hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia. The desirability of adding vitamin D to the diets of infants in the neonatal period is questionable. In the infants studied, the hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia was more marked than in those who did not receive this supplement.