Hazards of calcium gluconate therapy in the newborn infant: intra-arterial injection producing intestinal necrosis in rabbit ileum.

Five infants received 10% calcium gluconate via umbilical artery catheters, which resulted in intestinal bleeding and lesions of the buttock, anus, groin, and thigh. The effects of intra-arterial calcium gluconate in two animal models were investigated. Injection of calcium into the aorta in the region of the posterior mesenteric artery resulted in immediate hyperperfusion of the descending colon; this may be an early hemodynamic response to injury in the area of colon supplied by this vessel. Injections into the arterial arcade of the rabbit ileum resulted in intestinal necrosis and villous atrophy. The use of umbilical artery catheters for administration of calcium gluconate is potentially hazardous.