Increased blood calcium in children is medically referred to as hypercalcemia. Normally, 99 percent of the calcium in a child's body is located in the bones and teeth and the remaining 1 percent is dispersed throughout the blood and soft tissue. If this ratio is disrupted and calcium levels in the blood get too high, it can have negative health effects.
Physiology
The levels of calcium in a child's body are controlled by two hormones: parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. When the levels of calcium in a child's body drop below normal, his parathyroid glands produce more parathyroid hormone. This hormone stimulates the bones to release excess calcium, while also stimulating the kidneys to excrete less calcium. This helps return blood calcium levels to normal. In healthy individuals, the production of parathyroid hormone returns to normal once calcium levels are restored.
If calcium levels get too high, the thyroid gland produces calcitonin, which slows the release of calcium from the bones. Calcium levels in a child's blood increase as a result of disturbances in this physiological process.
Causes
The most common cause of hypercalcemia is an overactivity of the parathyroid glands, medically referred to as hyperparathyroidism. If the parathyroid glands are overactive, they produce excess amounts of parathyroid hormone regularly. According to the Emory Children's Center, the most common cause of hyperparathyroidism in children is chronic kidney disease.
A child may also develop hypercalcemia as a result of certain medications, excessive supplementation of calcium or vitamin D or dehydration, according to MayoClinic.com. Elevated calcium levels can also develop in a child as a result of underlying medical conditions, such as tuberculosis.
Symptoms
If a child has mild hypercalcemia, he may not experience any physical symptoms. When the calcium levels in the blood rise significantly, it can cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, increased thirst, muscle weakness, joint pain, confusion and fatigue.
Treatment
Initial treatment for hypercalcemia focuses on restoring calcium levels to normal. If hypercalcemia is caused by excessive supplementation, it is important that the child stops taking supplements. Mild hypercalcemia may correct itself over time. Moderate to severe hypercalcemia may require medical intervention. Medical treatment for hypercalcemia consists of intravenous administration of fluids that provide hydration, as well as diuretics that help the child's body flush out excess amounts of calcium. Synthetic calcitonin may be administered to decrease the release of calcium from the bones.
Once calcium levels are restored, further treatment focuses on correcting the underlying cause of the high levels of calcium in the blood.
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