Mild Idiopathic Infantile Hypercalcemia-Part 1: Biochemical and Genetic Findings

Abstract

Context: Idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia (IIH), an uncommon disorder characterized by elevated serum concentrations of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) and low parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, may present with mild to severe hypercalcemia during the first months of life. Biallelic variants in the CYP24A1 or SLC34A1 genes are associated with severe IIH. Little is known about milder forms.

Objective: This work aims to characterize the genetic associations and biochemical profile of mild IIH.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including children between age 6 months and 17 years with IIH who were followed in the Calcium Clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Canada. Twenty children with mild IIH on calcium-restricted diets were evaluated. We performed a dietary assessment and analyzed biochemical measures including vitamin D metabolites and performed a stepwise molecular genetic analysis. Complementary biochemical assessments and renal ultrasounds were offered to first-degree family members of positive probands.

Results: The median age was 16 months. Median serum levels of calcium (2.69 mmol/L), urinary calcium:creatinine ratio (0.72 mmol/mmol), and 1,25(OH)2D (209 pmol/L) were elevated, whereas intact PTH was low normal (22.5 ng/L). Mean 1,25(OH)2D/PTH and 1,25(OH)2D/25(OH)D ratios were increased by comparison to healthy controls. Eleven individuals (55%) had renal calcification. Genetic variants were common (65%), with the majority being heterozygous variants in SLC34A1 and SLC34A3, while a minority showed variants of CYP24A1 and other genes related to hypercalciuria.

Conclusion: The milder form of IIH has a distinctive vitamin D metabolite profile and is primarily associated with heterozygous SLC34A1 and SLC34A3 variants.

Keywords: CYP24A1; genetic; hypercalcemia; nephrocalcinosis; nephrolithiasis; vitamin D.