Novel Variants and Clinical Heterogeneity in Pediatric Calcium Metabolism Disorders Identified Through High-Yield Tiered Genetic Testing in a Taiwanese Cohort

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Inherited disorders of calcium metabolism are rare pediatric conditions with diverse manifestations, including seizures, growth impairment, and renal or skeletal complications. Precise molecular diagnosis is crucial for effective management and informed genetic counseling. This study aimed to develop a systematic diagnostic approach, broaden the mutational spectrum, and characterize initial clinical features. <i>Material and Methods</i>: We retrospectively analyzed 13 pediatric cases at a tertiary center in southern Taiwan (2020-2025). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data were reviewed. Genetic testing followed a tiered strategy to identify copy number variations and single-nucleotide variants. Variants were classified according to the ACMG/AMP guidelines and assessed by in silico tools. <i>Results</i>: The pediatric cohort (8 males, 5 females) had a median diagnostic age of 2 years and a mean follow-up of 7.7 years. Hypoparathyroidism was most common (<i>n</i> = 7), followed by PTH resistance (<i>n</i> = 3), hyperparathyroidism (<i>n</i> = 1), calcipenic rickets (<i>n</i> = 1), and syndromic hypercalcemia (<i>n</i> = 1). Genetic diagnoses were established in 12 children and one parent, involving <i>CASR</i>, <i>GNAS</i>, <i>PRKAR1A</i>, <i>CYP27B1</i>, and <i>KMT2D</i>. Two novel variants were identified (<i>CASR</i> p.Val836Ile and <i>GNAS</i> c.719-30A>T). Phenotypic heterogeneity included incomplete penetrance in autosomal dominant hypocalcemia and variable multisystem involvement in syndromic cases. <i>Conclusions</i>: A stepwise genetic testing strategy achieved a high diagnostic yield in pediatric calcium metabolism disorders. The discovery of novel and population-specific variants expands the mutational spectrum, supporting precision medicine in pediatric endocrinology.

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Journal
Medicina
Published
2025-10-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61101861
Primary Topic
Congenital heart defects research
Type
article
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article

Novel Variants and Clinical Heterogeneity in Pediatric Calcium Metabolism Disorders Identified Through High-Yield Tiered Genetic Testing in a Taiwanese Cohort

Meng‐Che Tsai, Ting-Yu Kang, Yen‐Yin Chou, Yu‐Wen Pan et al.
Medicina
Congenital heart defects research
article

Novel Variants and Clinical Heterogeneity in Pediatric Calcium Metabolism Disorders Identified Through High-Yield Tiered Genetic Testing in a Taiwanese Cohort

Meng‐Che Tsai, Ting-Yu Kang, Yen‐Yin Chou, Yu‐Wen Pan, Yu-Ming Chang
article en

Abstract

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Inherited disorders of calcium metabolism are rare pediatric conditions with diverse manifestations, including seizures, growth impairment, and renal or skeletal complications. Precise molecular diagnosis is crucial for effective management and informed genetic counseling. This study aimed to develop a systematic diagnostic approach, broaden the mutational spectrum, and characterize initial clinical features. <i>Material and Methods</i>: We retrospectively analyzed 13 pediatric cases at a tertiary center in southern Taiwan (2020-2025). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data were reviewed. Genetic testing followed a tiered strategy to identify copy number variations and single-nucleotide variants. Variants were classified according to the ACMG/AMP guidelines and assessed by in silico tools. <i>Results</i>: The pediatric cohort (8 males, 5 females) had a median diagnostic age of 2 years and a mean follow-up of 7.7 years. Hypoparathyroidism was most common (<i>n</i> = 7), followed by PTH resistance (<i>n</i> = 3), hyperparathyroidism (<i>n</i> = 1), calcipenic rickets (<i>n</i> = 1), and syndromic hypercalcemia (<i>n</i> = 1). Genetic diagnoses were established in 12 children and one parent, involving <i>CASR</i>, <i>GNAS</i>, <i>PRKAR1A</i>, <i>CYP27B1</i>, and <i>KMT2D</i>. Two novel variants were identified (<i>CASR</i> p.Val836Ile and <i>GNAS</i> c.719-30A>T). Phenotypic heterogeneity included incomplete penetrance in autosomal dominant hypocalcemia and variable multisystem involvement in syndromic cases. <i>Conclusions</i>: A stepwise genetic testing strategy achieved a high diagnostic yield in pediatric calcium metabolism disorders. The discovery of novel and population-specific variants expands the mutational spectrum, supporting precision medicine in pediatric endocrinology.

MedicinaVol. 61(10)
National Cheng Kung University Hospital (TW)
Openalex Percentile: Top 74%
Congenital heart defects research
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