Disorders of calcium homeostasis are uncommon but important because of the broad spectrum of potential underlying causes that lie on a spectrum from the benign to the life-threatening.
Paediatricians may find them challenging because they do not arise often enough for the investigative approach to be second nature. We report a 4-year-old with acute onset profound hypercalcaemia. We focus on an approach to the clinical problem that is based on the potential organ systems affected, namely the gut, bone and kidney. Key biochemical parameters that may help the paediatric team to reach a diagnosis are discussed, as well as important components of acute management.
Written by:
Reynolds BC, Cheetham TD. Are you the author?
Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Reference: Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed. 2014 Aug 5. pii: edpract-2013-305406.
doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2013-305406
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25097236