Hypertension as the major problem of idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy

We describe two infants with severe hypertension associated with idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy. In both children, blood pressure control was refractory to aggressive antihypertensive therapy. There was radiologic and laboratory evidence of renovascular disease requiring the use of specific renin antagonists and later nephrectomy, resulting in moderate improvement of hypertension. Although on occasion there is a familial incidence, in the vast majority of cases the diagnosis hinges on a high index of suspicion. © 1984 The C. V. Mosby Company.