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[Acute renal failure caused by hypercalcemia]
H Skjønsberg1, A Hartmann, P Fauchald
1Medisinsk avdeling Nyreseksjonen Rikshospitalet 0027 Oslo. helge.skjonsberg@rikshospitalet.no
Background:
Hypercalcaemia may cause acute renal failure.
Material And Methods:
We present and discuss two patients with acute renal failure caused by hypercalcaemia.
Results:
Patient no. 1 was treated with too high doses of vitamin D for hypoparathyroidism. Patient no. 2 had been taking extremely high doses of calcium carbonate for dyspeptic pain. Volume depletion and renal vasoconstriction are the mechanisms that lead to acute renal failure. Long-lasting hypercalcaemia will lead to calcium deposits in the kidneys (nephrocalcinosis), which is known to cause chronic renal failure.
Interpretation:
It is mandatory to start early treatment for serious hypercalcaemia. If treatment is started in time, the renal failure may be reversible. Constant vigilance is essential when patients are treated with vitamin D.