Transient congenital hypoparathyroidism: resolution and recurrence in chromosome 22q11 deletion

Transient congenital hypoparathyroidism (TCHP), with spontaneous resolution in infancy and subsequent recurrence in childhood, has not been associated with a specific cause. We report three patients with TCHP, initially with severe but transient neonatal hypocalcemia. During childhood, recurrence of hypoparathyroidism and recognition of phenotypic features suggested a diagnosis of velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). Features specific for the DiGeorge syndrome, with known clinical and genetic overlap with VCFS, were not present except for hypoparathyroidism. Genetic analysis confirmed chromosome 22q11 deletion in each patient. TCHP may be the earliest specific finding in 22q11 deletion/VCFS subgroup, with other diagnostic features emerging in later childhood. Infants with resolved TCHP need continued observation of parathyroid sufficiency, genetic analysis, and examination for anomalies associated with chromosome 22q11 deletion.