Primary Hypomagnesæmia With Secondary Hypocalcæmia in an Infant

Studies in primary hypomagnesaemia: evidence for defective carrier-mediated small intestinal transport of magnesium.

“…Our studies support previous reports based on balance studies that the magnesium deficiency in primary hypomagnesaemia results from malabsorption of magnesium (Paunier et al, 1965;Friedman et al, 1967;Paunier et al, 1968;Str0mme et al, 1969;Salet et al, 1966;Nordio et al, 1971), and suggest, to our knowledge for the first time, that the basic abnormality responsible for the malabsorption is a specific defect in carrier-mediated transport of magnesium. The results of the perfusion studies suggest that at least two separate systems participate in the absorption of magnesium from the proximal jejunum; a system which saturates at low intraluminal concentrations and thus may be carrier mediated, and a simple diffusional system.…”

“…Primary hypomagnesaemia is a rare, genetically-1 determined disorder which presents in early infancy with convulsions and tetany (Paunier et al, 1965;Friedman et al, 1967). Balance studies suggest that intestinal absorption of magnesium may be the primary abnormality (Paunier et al, 1968;Str0mme et al, 1969), but the precise site and nature of the absorptive defect have not been defined.…”

Magnesium Depletion in the Rhesus Monkey: Induction of Magnesium-Dependent Hypocalcaemia

“…Others have documented a Mg2+-dependent type of hypocalcaemia in ill humans especially those with malabsorptive conditions (Fletcher, Henly, Sammons & Squire, 1960;Heaton & Fourman, 1965;Muldowney, McKenna, Kyle, Freaney & Swan, 1970;Petersen, 1963), and alcoholism (Estep et al, 1969). Hypomagnesaemia is also known to cause hypocalcaemia in infants (Friedman, Hatcher & Watson, 1967). Hypocalcaemia in the presence of hypomagnesaemia has been reported in many species of animals especially dogs (Chiemchaisri & Phillips, 1965;Rojo-Ortega et al, 1970;Suh & Fraser, 1970), pigs (Miller et al, 1965), calves (Larvor et al, 1964a, b;Smith, 1957Smith, , 1961and sheep (L' Estrange & Axford, 1964;McAleese & Forbes, 1959).…”

Association of Oedema and Hypomagnesaemia with Hypocalcaemic Tetany of the Newborn

“…Clinically, the manifestations of hypomagnesaemia are indistinguishable from hypocalcaemia, and the two conditions may coexist in hypocalcaemic tetany of the newborn. Primary hypomagnesaemia with secondary hypocalcaemia has been described, the evidence suggesting isolated malabsorption of magnesium from the gastrointestinal tract (Friedman et al, 1967). Whether tetany ever occurs in magnesium-deficient babies with normal serum calcium levels is a controversial point (Gellis, 1970).…”