Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Bovine Mammary Gland Biopsy Techniques
14:53

Bovine Mammary Gland Biopsy Techniques

Published on: December 23, 2018

Breast milk-associated physiological hypercalcaemia: an observational study of clinical, biochemical and radiological

Sandhya Govindarajan1, Mohamed Zulf Mughal2, Imran Zamir3

  • 1Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK ggsan28@gmail.com.

BMJ Paediatrics Open
|May 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Physiological hypercalcaemia in breastfed infants is benign and resolves on its own. Infants can continue exclusive breastfeeding without intervention, as this condition does not cause symptoms or kidney issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Neonatal Nutrition
  • Infant Health

Background:

  • Asymptomatic physiological hypercalcaemia is recognized in exclusively breastfed infants.
  • Characterization of this condition during continued breastfeeding is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate clinical, biochemical, and radiological outcomes of breast milk-associated physiological hypercalcaemia.
  • To assess the safety and impact of continued exclusive breastfeeding in affected infants.

Main Methods:

  • A multi-center retrospective study over 5 years.
  • Included exclusively breastfed infants with hypercalcaemia (serum corrected calcium [cCa] ≥2.8 mmol/L) and no other identified causes.
  • Analyzed clinical, biochemical, and radiological data.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-five infants with mean peak cCa of 3.08 mmol/L were studied.
  • All infants were asymptomatic and continued exclusive breastfeeding without interventions.
  • No nephrocalcinosis was observed on renal ultrasound; hypercalcaemia resolved spontaneously.

Conclusions:

  • Breast milk-associated physiological hypercalcaemia is a benign, PTH-independent condition.
  • Infants can safely continue exclusive breastfeeding without formula changes.
  • Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.
Abstract

Keywords:
EndocrinologyNeonatology

More Related Videos

An Efficient Single-Person Technique for Milk Sampling from Laboratory Mice04:56

An Efficient Single-Person Technique for Milk Sampling from Laboratory Mice

Published on: March 28, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis01:21

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.
Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin00:51

Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin

Calcitonin, a vital polypeptide hormone, regulates calcium levels within body fluids. It is released by the parafollicular cells, also known as C cells, situated in the follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin responds to fluctuations in blood calcium levels and the influence of gastrointestinal hormones like gastrin and cholecystokinin.
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...
The Parathyroid Glands00:59

The Parathyroid Glands

The two pairs of parathyroid glands embedded within the posterior surface of the thyroid gland are restricted by a dense capsule around them. These glands comprise two distinct cell populations—parathyroid oxyphil and parathyroid principal cells- pivotal in calcium homeostasis.
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by producing...
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Study Designs in Epidemiology01:20

Study Designs in Epidemiology

Epidemiological study designs are fundamental tools for investigating the distribution, determinants, and control of health conditions in populations. They help researchers understand the relationships between exposures and outcomes, and they broadly fall into two categories: "observational" and "experimental" studies.
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies.
Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:26

Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

Renal calculi, commonly termed kidney stones, are crystalline solid masses that form in the kidneys but can occur at any point within the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.The pathophysiology of renal stones involves several key factors: supersaturation of the urine with stone-forming constituents, changes in urine pH, a decrease in urine volume, and the presence of substances that promote or inhibit stone formation.Supersaturation of Urine: This is the...