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Partial hypoparathyroidism. A variant of transient congenital hypoparathyroidism
Insights
Neonatal hypocalcemia in healthy infants may recur later in childhood. This suggests partial hypoparathyroidism, necessitating ongoing calcium monitoring throughout childhood and adolescence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Neonatal hypocalcemia is a common condition in newborns.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for preventing complications.
Observation:
- Three full-term infants presented with neonatal hypocalcemia within 48 hours of birth.
- Hypocalcemia resolved spontaneously within 14 months in all cases.
- Recurrence of hypocalcemia was observed later in childhood at ages 4, 7, and 12.
Findings:
- Patients exhibited consistently low but detectable plasma parathyroid hormone levels.
- The pattern suggests a diagnosis of partial hypoparathyroidism.
- Late-onset hypocalcemia can occur in individuals with a history of neonatal hypocalcemia.
Implications:
- Neonatal hypocalcemia in healthy infants warrants long-term monitoring of calcium levels.
- Early identification of partial hypoparathyroidism is essential for timely intervention.
- This study highlights the importance of continued calcium assessment during childhood and adolescence.
Abstract:
We encountered three children who had neonatal hypocalcemia followed by a period of normocalcemia and recurrence of hypocalcemia later in childhood. They were full-term infants with normal birth weights who developed hypocalcemia within the first 48 hours after birth. The hypocalcemia resolved in 1 week, 3 months, and 14 months in the three patients. The recurrences of hypocalcemia occurred at 4, 7, and 12 years of age. Their plasma parathyroid hormone concentrations were consistently low but detectable. We suggest that partial hypoparathyroidism is the underlying abnormality in these patients and that neonatal hypocalcemia in otherwise healthy infants indicates the need for calcium measurements during childhood and adolescence.