P71.4: Transitory neonatal hypoparathyroidism

The parathyroid glands are 4 small glands at the edge of the thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands produce a messenger substance that is important in bone metabolism. This messenger substance affects the calcium and phosphate content in the body.

There are different reasons why a baby might temporarily have too little of a messenger from the parathyroid glands. One reason may be that the magnesium level in the blood is too low. Magnesium is needed, for example, so that the messenger substance from the parathyroid glands can be released into the blood. When there is a shortage of magnesium, therefore, too little of the messenger substance might be being released into the blood.

Another reason might be a certain disorder of the mother's parathyroid glands. If the mother has this disorder, her parathyroid glands will produce too much of the messenger substance. If there is too much messenger substance in the mother's blood during pregnancy, the messenger may also get into the child's blood. There the mother's messenger may suppress the formation of the child's messenger substance. Then, after the birth, some time is needed before the child's parathyroid glands can produce enough of the messenger, and release it into the blood, themselves.

There can be a variety of indications that the child has too little messenger substance from the parathyroid glands in its blood. Its muscles or nerves may tremble or twitch, for example. Seizures or breathing problems may also occur.