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[Hypercalcemia due to immobilization in critically ill children: calcitnonin treatment]
M Urán Moreno1, R Alonso Riofrío, C Moliner Robredo
1Sección de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Madrid.
Insights
Calcitonin effectively treated hypercalcemia in critically ill children caused by immobilization. This treatment normalized calcium levels without adverse effects, offering a potential solution for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Hypercalcemia of immobilization is a serious condition in critically ill children.
- Standard treatments like rehydration and frusemide were ineffective in these cases.
Purpose:
- To assess the efficacy and safety of calcitonin for treating hypercalcemia due to immobilization in pediatric patients.
- To evaluate calcitonin's impact on serum calcium levels and potential side effects.
Summary:
- Four pediatric patients (3-14 years) with immobilization-induced hypercalcemia (serum calcium 12.2-13.4 mg/dl) were treated with calcitonin (6-20 IU/kg/day).
- Calcitonin administration led to a progressive decrease in serum calcium, achieving normal levels (8.6-10.5 mg/dl) within 4-20 days.
- No adverse effects or significant changes in phosphorus or alkaline phosphatase levels were noted.
Impact:
- Calcitonin demonstrates potential as an effective therapeutic option for pediatric hypercalcemia of immobilization.
- This finding may guide clinical practice in managing this specific patient population.
- Further research could explore optimal dosing and long-term outcomes.
Objectives:
To evaluate the response to calcitonin treatment in critically ill children with hypercalcemia due to immobilization.
Patients And Methods:
Four children aged 3-14 years were diagnosed with hypercalcemia due to immobilization. Detected levels of calcemia and ionic calcium ranged from 12.2-13.4 mg/dl and 1.44-2.2 mmol/l respectively. None of the children responded to rehydration or frusemide. Treatment was with subcutaneous and/or intranasal calcitonin at a dose of 6-20 IU /kg/day.
Results:
After calcitonin administration, serum calcium decreased progressively until normal calcemia levels were reached between days 4 and 20 of treatment (8.6-10.5 mg/dl). No treatment-related adverse effects or alterations in phosphorus levels or alkaline phosphatases were observed.
Conclusion:
Calcitonin might be an effective treatment for hypercalcemia due to immobilization in critically ill children.
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