Nephrocalcinosis

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Male urinary system

Nephrocalcinosis is a disorder in which there is excess calcium deposited in the kidneys.

Any disorder that leads to high levels of calcium in the blood or urine may lead to nephrocalcinosis. In nephrocalcinosis, calcium deposits form in the kidney tissue itself. Most of the time, both kidneys are affected.

Nephrocalcinosis is related to, but not the same as, kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).

Conditions that can cause nephrocalcinosis include:

• Alport syndome
• Bartter syndrome
• Chronic glomerulonephritis
• Medullary sponge kidney
• Primary hyperoxalurias
• Renal transplant rejection
• Renal tubular acidosis
• Renal cortical necrosis

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Other possible causes of nephrocalcinosis include:

• Ethylene glycol toxicity
• Hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) due to hyperparathyroidism
• Use of certain medications, such as acetazolamide, amphotericin B, and triamterene
• Tuberculosis of the kidney and infections related to AIDS
• Vitamin D toxicity

This condition is relatively common in premature infants.

Review Date: 08/30/2009
Reviewed By: Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).