[Abnormal synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and hypercalcemia in children with tuberculosis]

Pediatr Med Chir. 1989 Sep-Oct;11(5):529-32.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Three children with tuberculosis and hypercalcemia are reported. Before antitubercular treatment 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D serum levels and urinary calcium excretion were elevated for age in all patients; vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were in normal range whereas serum intact parathyroid hormone concentrations were suppressed. Low calcium diet and antitubercular treatment caused a normalization of serum calcium levels and urinary calcium excretion; 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations returned in normal range after three months of antituberculosis therapy. When 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was normal, a reintroduction of a diet with normal calcium content did not determine new hypercalcemic episodes. These data suggest that an abnormal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D production sustains the hypercalcemia of children with tuberculosis. An ectopic and unregulated synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D by macrophages of granulomatous tissue is proposed.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / blood
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium / urine
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dihydroxycholecalciferols / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / metabolism*

Substances

  • Dihydroxycholecalciferols
  • Calcium