Nephrocalcinosis

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Male urinary system

Nephrocalcinosis is a kidney disorder involving deposition of calcium and oxalate or phosphate in the renal tubules and interstitium (the areas between the tubules). These deposits may result in reduced kidney function.

Nephrocalcinosis may be caused by a number of conditions:

• Excess excretion of calcium by the kidney
• Renal tubular acidosis
• Medullary sponge kidney
• Hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in the blood)
• Renal cortical necrosis
• Tuberculosis

Fragments of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate may break free from the kidney and provide nuclei for formation of stones (nephrolithiasis). This may result in obstructive uropathy, possibly leading to eventual kidney failure if the obstructing stones are not passed in the urine or removed. Nephrocalcinosis may therefore be discovered when symptoms of renal insufficiency/renal failure, obstructive uropathy, or urinary tract stones develop.

This condition is relatively common in premature infants, partly from intrinsic kidney calcium losses and partly from enhanced calcium excretion when they are given loop diuretics.

Review Date: 09/13/2005
Reviewed By: Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.