IDIOPATHIC ARTERIAL CALCIFICATION AND UNEXPECTED INFANT DEATH

Two infants who died unexpectedly and who were found at autopsy to hav e idiopathic arterial calcification are presented. The first infant di ed within hours of the sudden onset of shortness of breath. The second infant died suddenly and unexpectedly in hospital where he was being treated for presumed sepsis and cardiac failure. Neither infant had si gnificant past or family histories. Autopsy examination in both infant s demonstrated widespread fibrointimal proliferation of elastic and mu scular arteries with characteristic calcification of the internal elas tic laminae. Kidneys and parathyroid glands were normal. Death in case 1 was attributed to extensive myocardial ischemic damage with right c oronary artery ostial stenosis due to idiopathic arterial calcificatio n. Death in case 2 was attributed to saddle pulmonary thromboembolism arising from a right atrial thrombus associated with cardiac failure s econdary to idiopathic arterial calcification. These cases demonstrate the variable presentations, causes of death, and autopsy findings tha t may occur in the uncommon condition.