[Magnesium metabolism in chronic primary hypomagnesemia]
F R Carrazza1, M S Souza, C Romaldini
1Universidade de São Paulo (USP), SP, Brazil.
Jornal De Pediatria
|December 4, 2003
Summary
This study reports on infants with primary hypomagnesemia and secondary hypocalcemia, finding impaired intestinal magnesium absorption and tissue magnesium mobilization. Supplementation effectively controlled symptoms and corrected serum levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Mineral Metabolism
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Primary hypomagnesemia (PH) with secondary hypocalcemia is a rare condition in infants.
- Infants may present with severe symptoms like convulsions unresponsive to standard treatment.
- Consanguinity in parents suggests a potential genetic basis for the disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe three cases of PH with secondary hypocalcemia in infants.
- To investigate magnesium (Mg) metabolic disturbances in these patients.
- To evaluate the efficacy of Mg supplementation for symptom control.
Main Methods:
- Metabolic balance studies of Mg were conducted over three days, with and without Mg supplementation.
- Fecal marker (carmin) was used to assess Mg absorption.
- Renal conservation tests were performed after Mg repletion.
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia unresponsive to anticonvulsants and calcium gluconate.
- Mg supplementation normalized serum Mg and Ca levels.
- Metabolic studies revealed impaired intestinal Mg absorption (6-15% intake) and inadequate Mg conservation, suggesting a defect in tissue Mg mobilization.
Conclusions:
- The findings confirm specific intestinal malabsorption of Mg.
- Adequate renal conservation of Mg was observed.
- An extracellular Mg homeostasis defect, likely due to impaired mobilization from tissue reserves, is suggested.
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