Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41795097›Full record

ReviewJournal of anesthesia, analgesia and critical care2026

Which calcium preparation should we use in paediatric resuscitation? A comprehensive review of basic physiology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical evidence.

Constantinos Kanaris, Swathy Subhash, Anna Camporesi

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of anesthesia, analgesia and critical care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Constantinos KanarisPaediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Post Box 7, Addenbrookes Hospital Hills Rd, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
Swathy SubhashPaediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Post Box 7, Addenbrookes Hospital Hills Rd, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK. swathy.subhash@doctors.org.uk.
Anna CamporesiPediatric Anesthesia and Intensive Care, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe optimal choice between calcium gluconate (CaGN) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) for hypocalcaemia correction during paediatric critical illness and resuscitation remains debated. This literature review aimed to compare the efficacy and safety profiles of both preparations to determine an evidence-based clinical preference.

methodsA comprehensive review of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials involving critically ill patients was conducted, focusing on the pharmacokinetics, therapeutic efficacy (measured by the rise in ionised calcium, iCa

resultsBoth CaGN and CaCl₂ effectively correct hypocalcaemia when equivalent elemental calcium doses are administered. CaCl₂ holds a significant dosing advantage in volume-restricted or extreme emergent scenarios due to its higher concentration of elemental calcium (27.2 mg/mL vs. 9.0 mg/mL for 10% solutions). Whilst the hepatic metabolism requirement for CaGN has been widely refuted, limited paediatric data suggest CaCl₂ may yield a greater response in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in critically ill children. Crucially, the safety profile favours CaGN; a substantial body of evidence indicates that the risk and severity of tissue necrosis following extravasation are markedly higher with CaCl₂.

conclusionThe selection of a calcium preparation must be conditional and context-dependent. We recommend reserving CaCl₂ for central venous administration in volume-restricted or extreme emergent settings, whilst CaGN is the preferred choice for peripheral line administration or routine maintenance due to its superior safety profile.

Indexed as

Calcium chlorideCalcium gluconateCardiac arrestHypocalcaemiaPaediatric critical careResuscitation

Identifiers

PMID41795097
PMCPMC13081568

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.