Parathyroid hyperplasia: an unusual cause of neonatal hypercalcemia

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in infants is caused by parathyroid chie f cell hyperplasia. Patients present with symptoms of chronic hypercalcemia , such as failure to thrive, irritability, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Me dical therapy is inadequate, often resulting in chronic hypercalcemia or de ath. Partial or total surgical removal of the parathyroid gland is the pref erred treatment. We describe a case of a 7-month-old infant with PHPT secon dary to hyperplasia successfully treated with a subtotal parathyroidectomy. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.