HYPERCALCEMIA IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Hypercalcemia is less common in children than in adults, but is more likely to be clinically significant in younger patients as routine biochemical screening tests are rarely performed in children. The serum calcium levels are maintained through the interplay of parathyroid, renal, and skeletal factors. The most common causes of hypercalcemia are primary (hyperparathyroidism or cancer) but a variety of unusual etiologies must be considered in children. The initial approach to the medical treatment of severe or symptomatic hypercalcemia is to increase the urinary excretion of calcium. In most cases, hypercalcemia is due osteoclastic bone resorption, and the effective treatment is based on agents that inhibit or destroy osteoclasts . Parathyroid surgery is recommended for all children with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Keywords

• hypercalcemia
• pediatrics
• parathyroid