Magnesium and Anti-phosphate Treatment with Bisphosphonates for Generalised Arterial Calcification of Infancy: A Case Report

J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2019 Sep 3;11(3):311-318. doi: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2018.2018.0204. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Abstract

Generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI) is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder, characterized by calcification of the internal elastic lamina, fibrotic myointimal proliferation of muscular arteries and resultant arterial stenosis. Treatment with bisphosphonates has been proposed as a means of reducing arterial calcifications in GACI patients, although there is no formalized treatment approach. The case reported here was a patient with severe GACI diagnosed at three months of age who had no response to bisphosphonate treatment, but clinically improved after the initiation of magnesium and anti-phosphate (using calcium carbonate) treatments. In patients unresponsive to bisphosphonate, magnesium and anti-phosphate treatment may be attempted.

Keywords: Generalized arterial calcification; infant; treatment; magnesium; etidronate.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antacids / therapeutic use
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
  • Calcium Carbonate / therapeutic use*
  • Diphosphonates / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Magnesium / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Vascular Calcification / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Calcification / pathology

Substances

  • Antacids
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diphosphonates
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Magnesium

Supplementary concepts

  • Arterial calcification of infancy