Hypercalcemia in Children
Learning Objectives
By the end of this courses, the learners should be able to:
- Understand pathophysiology and major players involved in calcium metabolism
- Define hypercalcemia and describe presentations in childhood based on age and severity
- Distinguish different etiologies in pediatric population
- Identify approach to evaluation of hypercalcemia
- Investigate different treatment options based on presentation etiologies
Intended Audience:
This online course is designed for pediatricians, family physicians, and endocrinologists.
Abstract:
This online course provides a comprehensive clinical approach to hypercalcemia in pediatric patients. The lecture begins with a review of calcium metabolism, including the roles of PTH, vitamin D, and calcium-sensing receptors, and explains how factors like age, acid-base status, and albumin levels affect lab interpretation. Learners will explore the full spectrum of presentations—from subtle signs in infants to classic symptoms like kidney stones, GI distress, and bone pain in older children. The course outlines a structured diagnostic approach to differentiate between PTH-dependent and PTH-independent causes, including genetic syndromes, vitamin D–related conditions, malignancies, and immobilization. Treatment strategies are also covered in depth, including hydration, pharmacologic interventions like calcitonin and bisphosphonates, and indications for urgent dialysis. Real case studies illustrate the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention. This course is ideal for pediatricians, endocrinologists, hospitalists, and emergency physicians seeking to enhance their diagnostic and management skills in pediatric hypercalcemia.
Assessment and Earning CME Credit:
This course in English is not CME-accredited. However, it provides valuable educational content that can enhance your knowledge and skills in the subject matter. To receive CME credit for this course in Armenia, you must take the course in Armenian and complete the post-course quiz. You have three chances to achieve a passing score of 70%. Once you pass the quiz, we will send your information to the Armenian Ministry of Health for credits.
Anna Ryabets-Lienhard, DO
Anna Ryabets-Lienhard, D.O. is the Medical Director of Metabolic Bone and Mineral Disorders Program at the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. She is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist and an attending physician at CHLA. Dr. Ryabets-Lienhard completed her pediatric residency and pediatric endocrinology fellowship at CHLA. Her research and clinical focus are on primary and secondary pediatric osteoporosis, such as Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis, as well as rickets and mineral disorders. She is a site principal investigator on multiple clinical trials and a co-principal investigator on a multidisciplinary multisite study of metabolic and orthopedic outcomes of patients with congenital forms of rickets. Dr. Ryabets-Lienhardis on the Board of Directors for the Human Growth Foundation and co-chair of the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee of the Pediatric Endocrine Society, USA.
