BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuNephrocalcinosisNephrocalcinosis is a disorder in which there is too much calcium deposited in the kidneys. It is common in premature babies. Causes 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.Nephrocalcinosis is related to, but not the same as, kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).Kidney stonesA kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Conditions that can cause nephrocalcinosis include:Alport syndrome Alport syndromeAlport syndrome is a rare inherited disorder that damages the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys. It can also cause hearing loss and eye problems....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bartter syndrome Bartter syndromeBartter syndrome is a group of rare conditions that affect the kidneys.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic glomerulonephritis GlomerulonephritisGlomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the part of your kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Familial hypomagnesemia Medullary sponge kidney Primary hyperoxaluria Renal transplant rejection Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) Renal tubular acidosisProximal renal tubular acidosis is a disease that occurs when the kidneys don't properly remove acids from the blood into the urine. As a result, to...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Renal cortical necrosisRenalThe term "renal" refers to the kidney. For example, renal failure means kidney failure. Related topics:Kidney diseaseKidney disease - dietKidney fai...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article NecrosisNecrosis is the death of body tissue. It occurs when too little blood flows to the tissue. This can be from injury, radiation, or chemicals. Necro...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other possible causes of nephrocalcinosis include:Ethylene glycol toxicity Hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) due to hyperparathyroidism or other medical conditions HypercalcemiaIonized calcium is calcium in your blood that is not attached to proteins. It is also called free calcium. All cells need calcium in order to work. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HyperparathyroidismHyperparathyroidism is a disorder in which 1 or more of the parathyroid glands in your neck produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hypercalciuria (excess calcium in the urine) Use of certain medicines, such as acetazolamide, amphotericin B, and triamterene Sarcoidosis SarcoidosisSarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, and/or other tissues.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tuberculosis of the kidney and infections related to AIDS TuberculosisPulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs. It may spread to other organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vitamin D toxicityVitamin D toxicityHypervitaminosis D is a condition that occurs after taking very high doses of vitamin D.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Most of the time, there are no early symptoms of nephrocalcinosis beyond those of the condition causing the problem.People who also have kidney stones may have:Blood in the urine Blood in the urineBlood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fever and chills Nausea and vomiting Severe pain in the belly area, sides of the back (flank), groin, or testiclesLater symptoms related to nephrocalcinosis may be associated with long-term (chronic) kidney failure.Long-term (chronic) kidney failureChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Nephrocalcinosis may be discovered when symptoms of renal insufficiency, kidney failure, obstructive uropathy, or urinary tract stones develop.Renal insufficiencyAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney failureAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urinary tract stonesBladder stones are hard buildups of minerals. These form in the urinary bladder.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Imaging tests can help diagnose this condition. Tests that may be done include:Abdominal CT scan Abdominal CT scanAn abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ultrasound of the kidney UltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 UrinalysisUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 24-hour urine collection to measure acidity and levels of calcium, sodium, uric acid, oxalate, and citrate Treatment The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms, prevent more calcium from building up in the kidneys, and reduce kidney damage.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.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.Other symptoms, including kidney stones, should be treated as appropriate. Outlook (Prognosis) What to expect depends on the complications and cause of the disorder.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. Possible Complications Complications may include:Acute kidney failure Acute kidney failureAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Long-term (chronic) kidney failure Long-term (chronic) kidney failureChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney stones Kidney stonesA kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Obstructive uropathy (acute or chronic, unilateral or bilateral)Obstructive uropathyObstructive uropathy is a condition in which the flow of urine is blocked. This causes the urine to back up and injure one or both kidneys.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you know you have a disorder that causes high levels of calcium in your blood and urine. Also call if you develop symptoms of nephrocalcinosis. Prevention 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.Open ReferencesReferencesBushinsky DA. Kidney stones. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 32.Chen W, Bushinsky DA. Nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis. In: Johnson RJ, Floege J, Tonelli M, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 60.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.Vogt BA, Springel T. The kidney and urinary tract of the neonate. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 93.AllVideoImagesTogMale urinary system - illustration The urinary system is made up of the kidneys, ureters, urethra and bladder.Male urinary systemillustrationMale urinary system - illustration The urinary system is made up of the kidneys, ureters, urethra and bladder.Male urinary systemillustrationRelated Information Proximal renal tubular acidosis(Condition)Calcium - ionized(Medical Test)Renal(Special Topic)Necrosis(Special Topic)Pulmonary tuberculosis(Condition)Kidney stones(Condition)Obstructive uropathy(Condition)Acute kidney failure(Condition)Bladder stones(Condition)Chronic kidney disease(Condition)Kidney stones - what to ask your doctor(Doctor Questions)Kidney stones - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 7/1/2023 Reviewed By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. 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NephrocalcinosisNephrocalcinosis is a disorder in which there is too much calcium deposited in the kidneys. It is common in premature babies. Causes 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.Nephrocalcinosis is related to, but not the same as, kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).Kidney stonesA kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Conditions that can cause nephrocalcinosis include:Alport syndrome Alport syndromeAlport syndrome is a rare inherited disorder that damages the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys. It can also cause hearing loss and eye problems....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bartter syndrome Bartter syndromeBartter syndrome is a group of rare conditions that affect the kidneys.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic glomerulonephritis GlomerulonephritisGlomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the part of your kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Familial hypomagnesemia Medullary sponge kidney Primary hyperoxaluria Renal transplant rejection Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) Renal tubular acidosisProximal renal tubular acidosis is a disease that occurs when the kidneys don't properly remove acids from the blood into the urine. As a result, to...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Renal cortical necrosisRenalThe term "renal" refers to the kidney. For example, renal failure means kidney failure. Related topics:Kidney diseaseKidney disease - dietKidney fai...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article NecrosisNecrosis is the death of body tissue. It occurs when too little blood flows to the tissue. This can be from injury, radiation, or chemicals. Necro...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other possible causes of nephrocalcinosis include:Ethylene glycol toxicity Hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) due to hyperparathyroidism or other medical conditions HypercalcemiaIonized calcium is calcium in your blood that is not attached to proteins. It is also called free calcium. All cells need calcium in order to work. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HyperparathyroidismHyperparathyroidism is a disorder in which 1 or more of the parathyroid glands in your neck produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hypercalciuria (excess calcium in the urine) Use of certain medicines, such as acetazolamide, amphotericin B, and triamterene Sarcoidosis SarcoidosisSarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, and/or other tissues.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tuberculosis of the kidney and infections related to AIDS TuberculosisPulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs. It may spread to other organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vitamin D toxicityVitamin D toxicityHypervitaminosis D is a condition that occurs after taking very high doses of vitamin D.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Most of the time, there are no early symptoms of nephrocalcinosis beyond those of the condition causing the problem.People who also have kidney stones may have:Blood in the urine Blood in the urineBlood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fever and chills Nausea and vomiting Severe pain in the belly area, sides of the back (flank), groin, or testiclesLater symptoms related to nephrocalcinosis may be associated with long-term (chronic) kidney failure.Long-term (chronic) kidney failureChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Nephrocalcinosis may be discovered when symptoms of renal insufficiency, kidney failure, obstructive uropathy, or urinary tract stones develop.Renal insufficiencyAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney failureAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urinary tract stonesBladder stones are hard buildups of minerals. These form in the urinary bladder.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Imaging tests can help diagnose this condition. Tests that may be done include:Abdominal CT scan Abdominal CT scanAn abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ultrasound of the kidney UltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 UrinalysisUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 24-hour urine collection to measure acidity and levels of calcium, sodium, uric acid, oxalate, and citrate Treatment The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms, prevent more calcium from building up in the kidneys, and reduce kidney damage.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.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.Other symptoms, including kidney stones, should be treated as appropriate. Outlook (Prognosis) What to expect depends on the complications and cause of the disorder.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. Possible Complications Complications may include:Acute kidney failure Acute kidney failureAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Long-term (chronic) kidney failure Long-term (chronic) kidney failureChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney stones Kidney stonesA kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Obstructive uropathy (acute or chronic, unilateral or bilateral)Obstructive uropathyObstructive uropathy is a condition in which the flow of urine is blocked. This causes the urine to back up and injure one or both kidneys.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you know you have a disorder that causes high levels of calcium in your blood and urine. Also call if you develop symptoms of nephrocalcinosis. Prevention 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.Open ReferencesReferencesBushinsky DA. Kidney stones. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 32.Chen W, Bushinsky DA. Nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis. In: Johnson RJ, Floege J, Tonelli M, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 60.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.Vogt BA, Springel T. The kidney and urinary tract of the neonate. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 93.