Hypoparathyroidism: How to Care for Your Child

Hypoparathyroidism causes low levels of calcium in the blood. Symptoms can be controlled with treatment.

Your Child's Diagnosis

The parathyroids are a group of four small glands in the neck that make parathyroid hormone. This hormone helps balance the amount of calcium in the blood. This is important because the right balance of calcium is needed for bone health and keeping the muscles, brain, and nervous system working properly.

In hypoparathyroidism, the parathyroid glands don't release enough parathyroid hormone, so blood calcium levels become too low. As a result, a person can have many symptoms, such as muscle spasms, seizures, breathing problems, and abnormal heartbeat. Over time, people with hypoparathyroidism can develop cataracts (clouding of the lenses of the eyes), bone and tooth problems, brittle hair and fingernails, and dry skin.

In kids, hypoparathyroidism can be congenital (meaning they were born with it). It also can be caused by surgery on the parathyroid or thyroid glands, or neck injury. In children and teens, hypoparathyroidism can occur when the immune system attacks and destroys the parathyroid glands. They can be the only glands involved, but in some kids the immune system will also attack and injure other glands, such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. In some cases both congenital and autoimmune forms of hypoparathyroidism can run in families and be genetically inherited.

Health care providers usually make the diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism with blood, urine, and imaging studies. Calcium and vitamin D are the most common treatments for hypoparathyroidism. These supplements are usually taken by mouth, but sometimes the health care team gives the first few doses directly into the bloodstream.

Home Care Instructions

  • Give your child any prescribed medicines or supplements as directed by the health care provider. Do not stop giving them unless directed to do so by your health care provider.
  • If your child is prescribed calcium, give it with food or a citrus drink (like orange juice). This helps your child's body absorb it.

Special Instructions

  • To make sure that the treatment is working, the health care provider will order blood tests and may ask you to collect urine samples at home to be tested for calcium. Depending on the results, your health care provider may adjust the amount of medications your child takes.

Call Your Health Care Provider if...

Your child:

  • Urinates (pees) more often and in larger amounts than usual.
  • Is thirstier than usual.
  • Has nausea or vomiting, or persistent diarrhea.
  • Is constipated.
  • Feels weak or low on energy.

Go to the ER if...

Your child:

  • Has a seizure or loses consciousness.
  • Has breathing difficulty or severe muscle spasms.