Total body calcium and long-term calcium balance in chronic renal disease
Denney, J.D.; Sherrard, D.J.; Nelp, W.B.; Chesnut, C.H.; Baylink, D.J.
Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine 82(2): 226-240
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-2143 PMID: 4721378 Document Number: 63292
In 26 chronic dialysis patients, total body Ca (TBC) was measured by neutron activation analysis (NAA), bone biopsies, Ca absorption, hand radiographs, serum chemistry and estimations of skin Ca. Ca balance was measured by serial NAA over intervals up to 27 months. TBC ranged from 503 to 1392 g and, in 24 males, was on average 1116 g or 96 plus or minus 12% of predicted normal. Bone fractures occurred with greater frequency among patients with TBC less than 90% of normal. The relation of TBC and Ca balance with bone biopsy distinguished osteomalacia from fibrosis; osteomalacia was characterised by low TBC and progressively negative Ca balance whereas fibrosis was characterised by normal to high TBC and stable Ca balance. A change in dialysate Ca from 3.0 to 4.0 m-equiv/litre seemed to improve Ca balance.