Parathyroid hormone-independent hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria of a patient with nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis and impaired vitamin D metabolism due to a defect in the CYP24A1 gene

Hypercalcemia associated with impaired vitamin D metabolism is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. The mechanism of this pathology is the impairment of inactivation of active metabolites of vitamin D because of mutations in the CYP24A1 gene, which leads to an increase of calcium absorption and the development of hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis. The phenotype of the disease ranges from severe forms which are diagnosed in early infancy (severe hypercalcemia associated with dehydration, vomiting, nephrocalcinosis, and sometimes death) to milder forms, that often are diagnosed in adulthood and manifested with recurrent nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis. Differential diagnosis is carried out with the most common causes of hypercalcemia: primary hyperparathyroidism and malignant neoplasms. To diagnose, the determination of vitamin D metabolites and genetic research are used. As a treatment for mild forms, it is recommended to limit dairy products, to keep a drinking regimen, to refuse taking vitamin D and calcium preparations, and use of sunscreens. The article presents a clinical case of parathyroid hormone-independent hypercalcemia due to mutation of the CYP24A1 gene of a 20-year-old patient suffering from nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis since the age of 16 with a confirmed violation of vitamin D metabolism.

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