Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

Children with thyroid cancer or disease who undergo surgery to remove that gland can commonly have their parathyroid glands accidentally removed during the thyroidectomy, a U.S. study reports. While such surgeries are rare in children, this finding calls for meticulous attention from surgeons performing a thyroidectomy — especially if examining…

Amolyt Pharma has raised $80 million in financing that will support the clinical development of AZP-3601, its experimental therapy for hypoparathyroidism. Hypoparathyroidism is caused by abnormally low levels of the parathyroid hormone (PTH), leading to low vitamin D and calcium levels, as well as high phosphorus levels…

Ahead of this year’s Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill, held virtually July 14–22, the EveryLife Foundation will award grants to top advocates of rare disease organizations who participate in the week’s pre-events. The top 50 point-earners will be eligible to win $1,000 to $5,000in  grants, totaling up…

More than half of the people with rare diseases and their caregivers, asked in a survey, were undecided or less than willing to be vaccinated for COVID-19 if a vaccine was approved under emergency use authorization instead of the routine process, the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Disease reports. These findings…

The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases is accepting applications for a scholarship program that aims to help adults with a rare disease pursue personal goals through training and education. For a second year, the #RAREis Scholarship Fund — supported by Horizon Therapeutics – will award 35 one-time scholarships, each…

People with thyroid cancer who develop hypoparathyroidism after surgery have reduced quality of life and worse symptoms than those without hypoparathyroidism, a study reports. The study, “Quality of life in patients with hypoparathyroidism after treatment for thyroid cancer” was published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &…

People with hypoparathyroidism, particularly if they developed the condition after surgery, experience worse patient-reported mental health than healthy individuals, a study reports. The study, “The effects of patient and disease-related factors on the quality of life in patients with hypoparathyroidism,” was published in the journal…

A novel mutation in the TBX1 gene caused hypoparathyroidism and deafness in a man and his three children, a case study reports. The study, “A Novel TBX1 Variant Causing Hypoparathyroidism and Deafness,” was published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. Hypoparathyroidism is caused by low levels of…

The number of treatments for children with rare diseases has grown over the past decade, according to a new study. However, despite the increase, nearly 7,000 rare diseases are still lacking treatment. And federal incentives to boost treatment development for these rare diseases have primarily focused not on creating new…

Removal of lymph nodes in the neck and invasion of neighboring tissues with thyroid cancer cells are risk factors for developing hypoparathyroidism following total thyroidectomy in children, a study reports. The study, “Risks of Hypoparathyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy in Children: A 21-Year Experience in a High-Volume Cancer Center,”…