Case series reveals diagnostic challenges in primary hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy, suggesting tailored management strategies.
Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is rare in pregnancy and poses diagnostic challenges due to overlapping symptoms. This case series highlights diagnostic and management challenges in pregnant patients. Case 1: A 42-year-old woman at 33 weeks' gestation exhibited severe nausea and fatigue. Laboratory testing revealed elevated calcium 13.2 mg/dL (3.29 mmol/L) (reference range, 8.4-10.3 mg/dL [2.2-2.6 mmol/L]) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) 215 pg/mL (23.89 nmol/L) (reference range, 11-68 pg/mL [SI: 1.6-7.2 pmol/L]). Neck ultrasound identified bilateral parathyroid adenomas and abdominal ultrasound showed polyhydramnios. Parathyroidectomy resulted in calcium drop to 9.5 mg/dL (2.27 mmol/L) and PTH to 12 pg/mL (1.33 pmol/L). She delivered a healthy infant. Case 2: A 39-year-old woman at 39 weeks' underwent a cesarean delivery due to transverse fetal lie. She had high prepartum calcium of 14.2 mg/dL (3.55 mmol/L) and PTH 319 pg/mL (33.81 pmol/L). Post pregnancy, bilateral neck exploration and left inferior parathyroid excision decreased calcium to 8.9 mg/dL (2.22 mmol/L) and PTH to 16.5 pg/mL (1.75 pmol/L). These cases highlight that symptom severity-not just calcium level-should guide parathyroidectomy. Third-trimester surgery can be safely performed when symptomatic; asymptomatic patients may be managed expectantly. Early recognition and individualized management optimize maternal and fetal outcomes.
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Varsha et al. (2025) studied this question.
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