MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Nephrocalcinosis

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Nephrocalcinosis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Male urinary system

Definition Return to top

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.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

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.

Symptoms Return to top

There are generally no early symptoms. Later symptoms related to nephrocalcinosis and associated disorders may include the following:

Increased urine volume or urine output, decreased
Urinary hesitancy (difficulty initiating the flow of urine)
Dribbling of urinary incontinence
Decrease in the force of the urinary stream, stream small and weak
Increased urinary frequency or urgency
A need to urinate at night (nocturia)
Painful urination (burning or stinging with urination)
Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder
Blood in the urine
Flank pain or back pain
- one or both sides
- progressive
- severe
- spasm-like (colicky)
- may radiate or move to lower in flank, pelvis, groin, genitals
Nausea, vomiting
Generalized swelling, fluid retention
Decrease in sensation, especially the hands or feet
Changes in mental status
- drowsy, lethargic, hard to arouse
- delirium or confusion
- coma
Seizures
Blood in the vomit or stools
Easy bruising or bleeding

Signs and tests Return to top

An examination but may indicate disorders that occur as a consequence of nephrocalcinosis. There may be signs of fluid overload, such as abnormal heart and lung sounds, if kidney function is poor.

An abdominal film shows renal calcification.
An abdominal CT scan shows nephrocalcinosis.

Other tests may be performed to diagnose and determine the extent of associated disorders.

Treatment Return to top

The goal of treatment is reduction of symptoms. The cause of the disorder must be treated. If the cause is type 1 renal tubular acidosis, vitamin D and calcium should not be given to correct bone disorders associated with the condition because this will worsen nephrocalcinosis.

Medications that enhance calcium excretion should be discontinued. Never discontinue any medications without consulting your health care provider.

Conditions that result from the disorder should be treated in their usual manner.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The outcome varies depending on the extent of complications and the cause of the disorder.

Complications Return to top

Acute renal failure
Chronic renal failure
Kidney stones
Obstructive uropathy (acute or chronic, unilateral or bilateral)

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate that disorders associated with nephrocalcinosis may be present.

Emergency symptoms include suddenly decreased urine output, and decreased consciousness related to calcium levels and/or kidney failure.

Prevention Return to top

Prompt treatment of causative disorders, including renal tubular acidosis, may help prevent nephrocalcinosis.

Update Date: 10/17/2003

Updated by: Irfan A. Agha, M.D., Department of Medicine, Renal Division, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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