Nephrocalcinosis

Nephrocalcinosis is a disorder in which calcium deposits (calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate) form in the kidneys. This can be caused by any disease that leads to elevated levels of calcium in the blood or urine. These diseases include:​

• ​Alport syndrome that damages the tiny blood vessels in the kidney
  

• Bartter syndrome which is a group of rare diseases that affect the kidney
  

• Chronic glomerulonephritis in which part of the kidney that filters waste is damaged
  

• Excess excretion of calcium by the kidney
  

• Renal tubular acidosis in which the kidneys fail to remove the acid from the blood and excrete it in the urine
  

• Medullary sponge kidney
  

• Hypercalcemia which denotes high calcium level in blood
  

• Renal cortical necrosis
  

• Tuberculosis
  

• Familial hypomagnesemia
  

• Primary hyperoxaluria
  

• Renal transplant rejection
  

• Use of certain medications including acetazolamide, amphotericin B, and triamterene

Nephrocalcinosis is related to kidney stones, as fragments of calcium deposits may break free from the kidney which provides nuclei for the formation of kidney stone. This disorder is mostly common in premature babies. Nephrocalcinosis can eventually lead to kidney failure.

When to seek expert advise

If you notice any of the above mentioned symptoms in your child, it is best to consult one of our doctors at the Department of Paediatrics at The Aga Khan University Hospital the only internationally accredited hospital in Pakistan.​