Investigation and Management of Hypercalcaemia in Children
Hypercalcaemia is a far less common finding in children than in adults. It may present with characteristic symptoms or may be identified as a coincidental finding in children investigated for a variety of complaints. Assessment of hypercalcaemia requires an understanding of the normal physiological regulation of plasma calcium by the combined actions of parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and the calcium sensing receptor. Hypercalcaemia will usually require treatment using a number of different modalities but occasionally it can be due to a benign asymptomatic condition that requires no intervention. This article presents a logical approach to the investigation and subsequent management of this condition.
Hypercalcaemia is an infrequent finding in children. In adults, the causes are most often from malignancy or hyperparathyroidism. In childhood the aetiologies are diverse, may be age specific and many have an underlying genetic basis. Untreated hypercalcaemia can have serious consequences, including renal failure and neurological sequelae. It is therefore important to establish the diagnosis, treat the underlying cause if possible, and promptly institute therapy directed at normalising calcium levels when necessary.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Hypercalcaemia is a far less common finding in children than in adults. It may present with characteristic symptoms or may be identified as a coincidental finding in children investigated for a variety of complaints. Assessment of hypercalcaemia requires an understanding of the normal physiological regulation of plasma calcium by the combined actions of parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and the calcium sensing receptor. Hypercalcaemia will usually require treatment using a number of different modalities but occasionally it can be due to a benign asymptomatic condition that requires no intervention. This article presents a logical approach to the investigation and subsequent management of this condition.
Introduction
Hypercalcaemia is an infrequent finding in children. In adults, the causes are most often from malignancy or hyperparathyroidism. In childhood the aetiologies are diverse, may be age specific and many have an underlying genetic basis. Untreated hypercalcaemia can have serious consequences, including renal failure and neurological sequelae. It is therefore important to establish the diagnosis, treat the underlying cause if possible, and promptly institute therapy directed at normalising calcium levels when necessary.