title: Malignant infantile osteopetrosis and primary pulmonary hypertension: a new combination?
abstract: Malignant infantile osteopetrosis (MIOP), a rare genetic disorder of the osteoclast, is fatal without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), a rare progressive disorder of the pulmonary circulation, is predominantly fatal in the absence of successful therapy. A clinical association between these two disorders has not been recognized and a pathophysiologic link between osteoclast function and pulmonary vascular pressure as a rationale for such an association is not readily apparent. Here, we report five infants with MIOP, without cardiac abnormalities, who were found to have PPH after undergoing stem cell transplantation. We suggest that PPH may be linked to a specific variant of MIOP and recognizing the potential for pulmonary hypertension in children with MIOP may lead to a more rapid diagnosis and life-saving intervention.
authors.affiliation: Division of Stem Cell Transplantation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. kimberly.kasow@stjude.org
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kasow
authors.forename: Carmem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonfim
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Asch
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Margolis
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Tamburro
authors.forename: Rupert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Handgretinger
authors.forename: Edwin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Horwitz
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010022:Osteopetrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents