[Idiopathic arterial calcinosis in children and pulmonary giant-cell elastolysis].

4 lethal cases of idiopathic arterial calcinosis (IAC) in three girls (1 month 10 days, 2 months and 3 months of age) and one 8-month-old boy are described. The authors' own material and literature data confirm the autosomal recessive character of the disease. The initial step in the IAC morphogenesis belongs to the genetically conditioned elastolysis with the participation of giant multinuclear cells with subsequent arterial calcinosis. Differential diagnosis of IAC with secondary arterial calcinosis is recommended.