Nephrocalcinosis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Nephrocalcinosis is a disorder in which there is too much calcium deposited in the kidneys. It is common in premature babies.

T Causes
P Any disorder that leads to high levels of calcium in the blood or urine may lead to nephrocalcinosis. In this disorder, calcium deposits in the kidney tissue itself. Most of the time, both kidneys are affected.
P Nephrocalcinosis is related to, but not the same as, kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).
P Conditions that can cause nephrocalcinosis include:
- Alport syndome
- Bartter syndrome
- Chronic glomerulonephritis
- Familial hypomagnesemia
- Medullary sponge kidney
- Primary hyperoxaluria
- Renal transplant rejection
- Renal tubular acidosis (RTA)
- Renal cortical necrosis
P Other possible causes of nephrocalcinosis include:
- Ethylene glycol toxicity
- Hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) due to hyperparathyroidism
- Use of certain medicines, such as acetazolamide, amphotericin B, and triamterene
- Sarcoidosis
- Tuberculosis of the kidney and infections related to AIDS
- Vitamin D toxicity

T Symptoms
P Most of the time, there are no early symptoms of nephrocalcinosis beyond those of the condition causing the problem.
P People who also have kidney stones may have:
- Blood in the urine
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe pain in the belly area, sides of the back (flank), groin, or testicles
P Later symptoms related to nephrocalcinosis may be associated with long-term (chronic) kidney failure.

T Exams and Tests
P Nephrocalcinosis may be discovered when symptoms of renal insufficiency, kidney failure, obstructive uropathy, or urinary tract stones develop.
P Imaging tests can help diagnose this condition. Tests that may be done include:
- Abdominal CT scan
- Ultrasound of the kidney
P Other tests that may be done to diagnose and determine the severity of associated disorders include:
- Blood tests to check levels of calcium, phosphate, uric acid, and parathyroid hormone
- Urinalysis to see crystals and check for red blood cells
- 24-hour urine collection to measure acidity and levels of calcium, sodium, uric acid, oxalate, and citrate

T Treatment
P The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and prevent more calcium from building up in the kidneys.
P Treatment will involve methods to reduce abnormal levels of calcium, phosphate, and oxalate in the blood and urine. Options include making changes in your diet and taking medicines and supplements.
P If you take medicine that causes calcium loss, your health care provider will tell you to stop taking it. Never stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.
P Other symptoms, including kidney stones, should be treated as appropriate.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P What to expect depends on the complications and cause of the disorder.
P Proper treatment may help prevent further deposits in the kidneys. In most cases, there is no way to remove deposits that have already formed. Many deposits of calcium in the kidneys do NOT always mean severe damage to the kidneys.

T Possible Complications
P Complications may include:
- Acute kidney failure
- Long-term (chronic) kidney failure
- Kidney stones
- Obstructive uropathy (acute or chronic, unilateral or bilateral)

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call your provider if you know you have a disorder that causes high levels of calcium in your blood and urine. Also call you if you develop symptoms of nephrocalcinosis.

T Prevention
P Prompt treatment of disorders that lead to nephrocalcinosis, including RTA, may help prevent it from developing. Drinking plenty of water to keep the kidneys flushed and draining will help prevent or decrease stone formation as well.

T Patient Instructions
- Kidney stones - what to ask your doctor

T Images
- Male urinary system

T References
P Bose A, Monk RD, Bushinsky DA. Kidney stones. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams textbook of Endocrinology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 30.
P Bushinsky DA, Monk RD. Nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis. In: Johnson RJ, Feehally J, Floege J, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 59.
P Tublin M, Levine D, Thurston W, Wilson SR. The kidney and urinary tract. In: Rumack CM, Levine D, eds. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 9.

T Review Date 8/26/2017
P Updated by: Jennifer Sobol, DO, urologist with the Michigan Institute of Urology, West Bloomfield, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

