Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy

  • Clinical Investigations
  • Published:
Calcified Tissue International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

We describe two twin sisters in whom calcification of different arteries was detected in the first weeks of life. Transient renal insufficiency, arterial hypertension, and skeletal abnormalities were also observed. One child had anasarca and heart decompensation at birth. Prenatal infarction of one kidney had occurred in the same infant. A kidney biopsy showed calcium deposits in all the layers of the arteries. Most findings in these patients are compatible with idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy (IACI). Investigation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism revealed spontaneously receding hypercalciuria, increased intraerythrocytic calcium levels, and transient X-ray abnormalities of the long bones. Treatment initially consisted of biphosphonate and later, the calcium antagonist flunarizin. A progressive diminution of the arterial calcification was observed in the course of both treatments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. De Leenheer AP, Bauwens RM (1985) Radioimmunoassay for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in serum or plasma. Clin Chem 31:142–146

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Nussbaum SR, Zahradnik RJ, Lavigne JR, Brennan GL, Nozawaung K, Kim LY, Keutmann T, Wang C, Potts JT. Serge GV (1987) Highly sensitive two-site immunoradiometric assay for parathyrin, and its clinical utility in evaluating patients with hypercalcemia. Clin Chem 33:1364–1367

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Cameron BF, Smariga PE (1976) Erythrocyte calcium metabolism. Biochem J 156:577–583

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Liu CT, Singer DB, Frates R (1980) Idiopathic arterial calcification in infancy. Arch Pathol Lab Med 104:589–591

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Bryant JH, White WH (1901) A case of calcification of the arteries and obliterative endarteritis, associated with hydronephrosis in a child aged six months. Guys Hosp Rep 55:17

    Google Scholar 

  6. Anderson KA, Burbach JA, Fenton LJ, Jaqua RA, Barlow JF (1985) Idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy in newborn siblings with unusual light and electron microscopic manifestations. Arch Pathol Lab Med 109:838–843

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hunt AC, Leys OG (1957) Generalized arterial calcification of infancy. Br Med J 1:385–386

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Menten ML, Fetterman GH (1948) Coronary sclerosis in infancy: report of three autopsied cases, two in siblings. Am J Clin Pathol 18:803–810

    Google Scholar 

  9. Meradji M, De Villeneuve VH, Huber J, De Bruijn WC, Pearse RG (1978) Idiopathic infantile arterial calcification in siblings: radiologic diagnosis and successful treatment. J Pediatr 92:401–405

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Meurman L, Somersalo O, Tuuteri L (1965) Sudden death in infancy caused by idiopathic arterial calcification. Ann Pediatr Fenn 11:19–24

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Moran JJ, Becker SM (1959) Idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy: report of 2 cases occurring in 2 siblings, and review of the literature. J Clin Pathol 31:517–529

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Raphael SS, Horne WI, Hyde TA (1970) Arterial medial calcification of infancy in brothers. Can Med Ass J 103:290–293

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Chen H, Fowler M, Yu CW (1982) Generalized arterial calcification of infancy in twins. Birth Defects 18:67–80

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Maayan C, Peleg O, Eyal F, Mogle P, Rosenmann E, Barziv J (1982) Idiopathic infantile arterial calcification: a case report and review of the literature. Eur J Pediatr 142:211–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Weens HS, Marin CA (1956) Infantile arteriosclerosis. Radiology 67:168–173

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Lussier-Lazaroff J, Fletcher BD (1973) Idiopathic infantile arterial calcification: roentgen diagnosis of a rare cause of coronary artery occlusion. Pediatr Radiol 1:224–228

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Witzleben CL (1970) Idiopathic infantile arterial calcification—a misnomer? Am J Cardiol 26:305–309

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Van Dyck M, Proesmans W, Van Hollebeke E, Marchal G, Moerman Ph (1989) Idiopathic infantile arterial calcification with cardiac, renal and central nervous system involvement. Eur J Pediatr 148:374–377

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Cochrane WA, Bowden DH (1954) Calcification of the arteries in infancy and childhood. Pediatrics 14:222–231

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Beuren AJ, Schuzz R, Sinapius D, Stoermer J (1969) Calcinosis of the arteries with coronary calcification in infancy. Am Heart J 78:87–93

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ivemark BI, Lagergren C, Lungqvist A (1962) Generalized arterial calcification associated with hydramnios in two stillborn infants. Acta Paediatr 135:103–110

    Google Scholar 

  22. Moran JJ (1975) Idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy: a clinicopathologic study. Pathol Ann 10:393–417

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Stryker WA (1946) Arterial calcification in infancy with special reference to coronary arteries. Am J Pathol 22:1007

    Google Scholar 

  24. Field MH (1946) Medial calcification of arteries of infants. Arch Pathol 42:607

    Google Scholar 

  25. Sholler GF, Yu JS, Bale PM, Hawker RE, Cellermajer JM, Kozlowski K (1984) Generalized arterial calcification of infancy: three case reports, including spontaneous regression with long-term survival. J Pediatr 105:257–260

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. McKusick VA (1972) Heritable disorders of connective tissue. Mosby Co, pp 310–311

  27. De Clerck F, Hladovec J (1984) Impact of Ca2+ entry blockers on Ca2+-dependent mechanisms in red blood cells, platelets and endothelial cells. In Godfraind T, Herman AG, Wellens D (eds) Calcium entry blockers in cardiovascular and cerebral dysfunctions. Martinus Nyhoff Publishers pp 81–90

  28. Vanhoutte PM (1987) The expert committee of the World Health Organization on classification of calcium antagonists: the viewpoint of the raporteur. Am J Cardiol 59:3A-8A

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Senterre J, Salle B (1988) Renal aspects of calcium and phosphorus metabolism in preterm infants. Biol Neon 53:220–229

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Graham R, Russell G, Smith R (1973) Diphosphonates: experimental and clinical aspects. J Bone Joint Surg 55B:66–85

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2520, Antwerpen-Edegem, Belgium

    P. J. Van Reempts, K. J. Boven, A. M. Roodhooft, E. L. J. Vercruyssen & K. J. Van Acker

  2. Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2520, Antwerpen-Edegem, Belgium

    S. E. Spitaels

Authors
  1. P. J. Van Reempts
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. J. Boven
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. E. Spitaels
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. M. Roodhooft
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. E. L. J. Vercruyssen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. K. J. Van Acker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Van Reempts, P.J., Boven, K.J., Spitaels, S.E. et al. Idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy. Calcif Tissue Int 48, 1–6 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02555789

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02555789

Key words

Search

Navigation