AORTOPULMONARY CALCIFICATION - AN UNUSUAL MANIFESTATION OF IDIOPATHICCALCIFICATION OF INFANCY EVIDENT ANTENATALLY

Background: Idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy represents a clinical spectrum involving calcification of large and medium-sized bl ood vessels with an unknown etiology. Its complications include severe systemic hypertension and cardiomyopathy. Case: A twin infant with a variant of idiopathic arterial calcification was diagnosed antenatally by the detection of hyperechogenicity of the proximal aorta and centr al pulmonary vessels. The calcification was apparently isolated to the se vessels and was associated with polyhydramnios and hypertrophic car diomyopathy. Conclusion: Because antenatal diagnosis is possible, we s uggest that there should be a high index of suspicion for idiopathic a rterial calcification when there is sonographic hyperechogenicity of v essel walls, evidence of polyhydramnios, cardiomyopathy, or a family h istory of idiopathic arterial calcification.