Secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone disease in infants receiving long-term furosemide therapy

Four preterm infants receiving long-term furosemide therapy were examined for hypercalciuria, hyperparathyroidism, renal calcification, and bone demineralization. All four infants had increased urinary calcium excretion. Three infants had high serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone, and in these three infants, bone mineral content was below the mean of "osteopenic" preterm infants of comparable gestational and postnatal age. In two of these infants, there was ultrasound evidence of renal calcification. In one infant, autopsy disclosed bone changes of hyperparathyroidism, gallstones, and calcification in the heart and kidney.