We describe a family in which 3 sisters gave birth to 8 infants with the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome. The clinical manifestations in all the affected individuals included macroglossia, macrosomia and omphalocele, while their mothers all were entirely normal. Pedigree analysis suggests that familial occurrence of the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome may be due to delayed mutation.

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Coma, tetany, dehydration, hypotension, tachycardia, and hyperpyrexia developed in a 21/2-year-old girl following two hypertonic phosphate pediatric enemas. She had marked hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, hypernatremia, and acidosis. Hypocalcemia due to hyperphosphatemia can explain all of these findings. Calculations indicate that about one third of the phosphorus and sodium contents of the enema were absorbed. Physicians should be aware of the potentially lethal complication of this treatment, which is a part of everyday practice.