Correlation Between Serum Albumin Level and Ionized Calcium in Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Children

Abstract

Background: Nephrotic syndrome frequently have abnormalities in calcium metabolism that manifest as hypocalcaemia. The serum ionized calcium level depends on the severity and duration of proteinuria. Methods: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between serum albumin level and ionized calcium in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. An analytic study with cross sectional comparative design was applied to nephrotic syndrome and healthy children between 2-8 years old in the Department of Pediatric Nephrlology, Comilla Medical College Hospital. A total of 120 subjects were recruited, 60 nephrotic syndrome as cases and 60 healthy children as controls. The mean serum albumin and serum ionized calcium levels of cases and controls were estimated respectively. Pearson’s correlation test was done to see the correlation. Results: Mean serum albumin level of cases and controls were 1.98±0.38 g/dl and 4.57±0.25 g/dl, respectively (p<.001) and mean serum ionized calcium of cases and controls were 1.13±0.08 mmol/L and 2.34±0.05 mmol/L respectively (p<.001). Pearson’s correlation test between serum albumin and serum ionized calcium level of cases were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between serum albumin level and ionized calcium in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, that is lower the serum albumin level, the lower will be the serum ionized calcium and higher the albumin level, higher will be calcium level.