The use of pamidronate in three children with renal disease

The successful use of pamidronate, a bisphosphonate, for the treatment of hypercalcemia and/or osteopenia is reported in three children with renal failure or following renal transplant. Patient 1 was an 11-year-old post renal transplant male who received a single dose of i.v. pamidronate (0.5 mg/kg) for the treatment of acute hypercalcemia associated with a pathological fracture and subsequent immobilization. Prompt resolution of the hypercalcemia was seen. He received a second course of pamidronate (0.5 mg/kg per day for 3 days) for the treatment of osteopenia and has had a subsequent 15% increase in lumbar spine bone mineral content (BMC). Patient 2, a 14-year-old male on peritoneal dialysis, presented with symptomatic hypercalcemia associated with tertiary hyperparathyroidism. A single dose of i.v. pamidronate (0.4 mg/kg) was given with prompt resolution and prolonged control of his hypercalcemia. The third patient was a 16-year-old female, also in renal failure on peritoneal dialysis. Her course had been complicated by marked osteopenia. I.v. pamidronate (0.5 mg/kg per dose) was given on 3 successive days before and after renal transplant in an attempt to stabilize her bone mineral density (BMD) around the time of renal transplantation, when additional glucocorticoid was necessary. Her total body BMC and BMD remained stable pre and post transplant. The treatment was effective and well tolerated in all three patients. Hence pamidronate is safe and effective for the management of hypercalcemia and osteopenia in children with renal failure and/or renal transplant.