title: Myocardial calcification caused by secondary hyperparathyroidism due to dietary deficiency of calcium and vitamin D.
abstract: A 6-year-old girl presented with respiratory distress. Chest radiographs exhibited calcifications in the mediastinum. Further imaging revealed extensive cardiac calcifications on computed tomography of the chest. The laboratory parameters were consistent with findings of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Detailed review of her dietary history revealed a prolonged history of dietary deficiency of calcium and vitamin D. Treatment consisted of adequate daily replacement of calcium and ergocalciferol. On follow-up, her parathyroid hormone level was significantly reduced and substantially reduced cardiac calcifications were seen on echocardiogram. Pediatric cardiologists must be aware of this potentially fatal but treatable disease in children with cardiac calcifications unexplained by other causes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Penn State Children's Hospital, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Zaidi
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Ceneviva
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Phipps
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Dettorre
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Mart
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006962:Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004872:Ergocalciferols; D014815:Vitamins; D002118:Calcium