Hypocalcemia does not occur in breast-fed infants

Hypocalcemia does not occur in breast-fed infants because of the lower phosphate content of breast milk compared to formula; breast milk has about 140 mg/L of phosphorus and current standard formula has at least twice as much phosphorus.

The inappropriate use in a neonate of whole cow's milk, which has 956 mg/L of phosphorus, can cause hyperphosphatemia and secondary hypocalcemia.