Perinatal asphyxia constitutes a significant problem of public health importance especially in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria. Asphyxia manifests as short, intermediate, and long-term disabilities that persist long after the injury has occurred. Despite laudable efforts to describe the role of some elements in its aetiopathogenesis, the nature of the association between such elements (like calcium and magnesium) in aetiology and severity of asphyxia remains unclear. A good understanding of the interplay between calcium and magnesium levels may be the link to survival as well as ameliorating the morbidity and mortality associated with perinatal asphyxia.