Disorder of Parathyroid Function:

The disorders of parathyroid function may  either  lead  to increased production or decreased production of parathormone. 

Hypoparathyroidism 

There are  two classic forms of hypoparathyroidism which may occur during childhood as given below. 

a)  Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism,  in  which  there is decreased production of parathormone (PTH), usually in  relation  to auto-immune phenomena. 

b)  Familial hypoparathyroidism is inherited as an  autosomal recessive trait. It  has early onset, usually in the first month of life.

In pseudohypoparathyroidism there is  increased production of  PTH but end-organ responsiveness to the hormone  is deficient. 

Pseudohypoparathyroidism is also thought to be  inherited as an X-linked dominant trait with variable expressivity.

Transient hypoparathyroidism may also be observed  in  infants born  to mothers with  the hypothyrodism or  in infants fed a milk  formula with a high  phosphate/calcium ratio. The hypoparathroidism in  children may  present with dry, scaly, coarse skin with eruptions, hair often brittle, thin nails with grooves, Tetany, dental and enamel hypoplasia, muscle crumps or twitching, paresthesia  tingling, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache depression, loss of memory etc. Therapeutic treatment consists of oral administration of calcium glucosnate and vitamin D  therapy.