Nephrocalcinosis - PubMed Health Page 1 of 3 PubMed Health. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institute s of Health. A.D.A.M.

Medical Encyclopedia. Atlanta (GA): A.D.A.M.; 2011. Nephrocalcinosis Last reviewed: September 16, 2011. Nephrocalcinosis is a disorder in which there is too much calcium deposited in t he kidneys. This condition is common in premature babies. Causes, incidence, and risk factors Any disorder that leads to high levels of calcium in the blood or urine may lead to nephrocalcinosis. In nephrocalcinosis, calcium deposits form in the kidney t issue itself. Most of the time, both kidneys are affected. Nephrocalcinosis is r elated to, but not the same as, kidney stones (nephrolithiasis). Conditions that can cause nephrocalcinosis include: Alport syndome Bartter syndrome Chronic glo merulonephritis Familial hypomagnesemia Medullary sponge kidney Primary hyperoxa luria Renal transplant rejection Renal tubular acidosis Renal cortical necrosis Other possible causes of nephrocalcinosis include: Ethylene glycol toxicity Hype rcalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) due to hyperparathyroidism Use of certai n medications, such as acetazolamide, amphotericin B, and triamterene Sarcoidosi s Tuberculosis of the kidney and infections related to AIDS Vitamin D toxicity Symptoms There are generally no early symptoms of nephrocalcinosis, beyond those of the c ondition causing the problem. People who also have kidney stones may have: Blood in the urine Fever and chills Nausea and vomiting Severe pain in the belly area , sides of the back (flank), groin, or testicles Later symptoms related to nephr ocalcinosis may be associated with chronic kidney failure. Signs and tests Nephrocalcinosis may be discovered when symptoms of renal insufficiency, kidney failure, obstructive uropathy, or urinary tract stones develop. Imaging tests ca n help diagnose this condition. Tests that may be done include: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001522/?report=printable 8/29/2012

Nephrocalcinosis - PubMed Health Page 2 of 3 Abdominal CT scan Ultrasound of the kidney Other tests that may be done to diagn ose and determine the severity of associated disorders include: Blood tests to c heck levels of calcium, phosphate, uric acid, and parathyroid homrone Urinalysis to see crystals and check for red blood cells 24-hour urine collection to measu re acidity and levels of calcium, sodium, uric acid, oxalate, and citrate Treatment The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and prevent more calcium from collec ting in the kidneys. Treatment will involve methods to reduce abnormal levels of calcium, phosphate, and oxalate in the blood and urine. If you take medicine th at causes calcium loss, your doctor will usually tell you to stop taking it. Nev er stop taking any medicine before talking to your doctor. Other symptoms, inclu ded kidney stones, should be treated as appropriate. Expectations (prognosis) What to expect depends on the complications and cause of the disorder. Proper tr eatment may help prevent further deposits in the kidneys. However, there is usua lly no way to remove deposits that have already formed. Extensive deposits of ca lcium in the kidneys do NOT always mean severe damage to the kidneys. Complications Acute renal failure Chronic renal failure Kidney stones Obstructive uropathy (ac ute or chronic, unilateral or bilateral) Calling your health care provider Call your health care provider if you know you have a disorder that causes high levels of calcium in your blood and urine, or if you develop symptoms of nephroc alcinosis. Prevention Prompt treatment of disorders that lead to nephrocalcinosis, including renal tub ular acidosis, may help prevent it from developing. References 1. Curhan GC. Nephrolithiasis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 2 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 128. 2. Pietrow PK, Premi nger GM. Evaluation and medical management of urinary lithiasis. In: Wein AJ, ed . Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 43. Review Date: 9/16/2011. Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Med icine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washi ngton School of Medicine. Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atl anta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. , Inc. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001522/?report=printable 8/29/2012

Nephrocalcinosis - PubMed Health Page 3 of 3 Figures Male urinary system The urinary system is made up of the kidneys, ureters, urethra and bladder. Revi ew Date: 6/18/2012. Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Dire ctor of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Stu dies, Department of Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Was hington; and Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia . Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solut ions, Ebix, Inc. A.D.A.M., Disclaimer Copyright 2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001522/?report=printable 8/29/2012