Clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of X-linked hypophosphataemia

Nat Rev Nephrol. 2025 May;21(5):330-354. doi: 10.1038/s41581-024-00926-x. Epub 2025 Jan 15.

Abstract

X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH) is a rare metabolic bone disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the PHEX gene, which is predominantly expressed in osteoblasts, osteocytes and odontoblasts. XLH is characterized by increased synthesis of the bone-derived phosphaturic hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), which results in renal phosphate wasting with consecutive hypophosphataemia, rickets, osteomalacia, disproportionate short stature, oral manifestations, pseudofractures, craniosynostosis, enthesopathies and osteoarthritis. Patients with XLH should be provided with multidisciplinary care organized by a metabolic bone expert. Historically, these patients were treated with frequent doses of oral phosphate supplements and active vitamin D, which was of limited efficiency and associated with adverse effects. However, the management of XLH has evolved in the past few years owing to the availability of burosumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that neutralizes circulating FGF23. Here, we provide updated clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of XLH to improve outcomes and quality of life in these patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Familial Hypophosphatemic Rickets* / diagnosis
  • Familial Hypophosphatemic Rickets* / drug therapy
  • Familial Hypophosphatemic Rickets* / genetics
  • Familial Hypophosphatemic Rickets* / therapy
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Humans
  • PHEX Phosphate Regulating Neutral Endopeptidase / genetics
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic

Substances

  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • FGF23 protein, human
  • burosumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • PHEX Phosphate Regulating Neutral Endopeptidase
  • PHEX protein, human