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A Rare Case Report of Immobility-Induced Hypercalcemia in an Infant
Neha Vyas1, Beth Kaminski2, Sarah MacLeish2
1Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital , Cleveland, Ohio nehav31@gmail.com.
Insights
Immobility can cause hypercalcemia in infants due to high bone turnover. Early detection and increased mobility are key to resolving this rare condition in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Infants and children have high bone turnover rates.
- Prolonged immobilization disrupts bone remodeling, leading to osteoblastic-osteoclastic imbalance.
- Hypercalcemia is a potential complication of this imbalance.
Observation:
- A case of hypercalcemia is presented in an infant.
- The infant exhibited symptoms of fatigue, irritability, and failure to thrive.
- Symptoms followed a period of prolonged immobilization.
Findings:
- Immobility-induced hypercalcemia, previously unreported in infants, was diagnosed.
- Conservative treatment including hydration and increased mobility led to full recovery.
- This condition is linked to the high bone turnover characteristic of pediatric patients.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering immobility-induced hypercalcemia in infant differential diagnoses.
- Suggests screening for hypercalcemia in pediatric patients with prolonged immobilization, especially post-surgery.
- Emphasizes prompt intervention with hydration and mobility for favorable outcomes.
Abstract:
Immobility-induced hypercalcemia is a rare cause of hypercalcemia in children, and to our knowledge it has never been reported in an infant. Infants and children are in a state of high bone turnover. Therefore, they are prone to the imbalance of osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity that occurs with prolonged immobilization, leading to hypercalcemia. Here we present the case of an infant with hypercalcemia who presented with fatigue, irritability, and failure to thrive after prolonged immobilization. Therapeutic interventions were conservative and included hydration and increased mobility leading to complete resolution. This case highlights the importance of including this rare entity in a differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia as well as screening postsurgical patients with prolonged immobility for hypercalcemia.
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