Hypocalcaemia is characterised by changes in neuromuscular function. The most common symptoms are paraesthesiae around the mouth and in the fingers, muscle cramps and seizures. Tetany (involuntary muscle contraction) may occur in the hands, producing the main d'accoucheur (obstetrician's hand) or carpopedal spasm. Chronic hypocalcaemia causes cataracts and calcification of the basal ganglia of the brain. Incipient tetany can be predicted by Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs.
Chvostek's sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve immediately after it exits from the auditory canal.
See later:
ΓÇó Clinical Features of Hypocalcaemia ΓÇô Trousseau's Sign
