Neonatal Nephrocalcinosis and Diagnostic Implications

Abstract

Nephrocalcinosis and its outcome has been widely  studied  in  the  preterm  population.  There  is  a  paucity of data regarding nephrocalcinosis in term babies. Prospective case series, in which ten neonates were included in the study from November 2013 and April 2014. All neonates with nephrocalci nosis diagnosed by  ultrasound  of  kidney,  ureters,  bladder  (KUB)  done  antenatally  or  during  evaluation for urinary tract infection in neonates with  hyperbilirubinemia/sepsis  were  included.  All   preterm  neonates  and  neonates  with  congenital  urinary  tract  anamolies  were  excluded  from  this  case series. Cases were followed to know the outcome of the condition by follow-up ultrasonography. Follow-up ultrasound kidneys after 2-4 weeks revealed no evidence of nephrocalcinosis in majority of the cases. In one case, hypocitrateuria was documented. Hence, nephrocalcinosis is a transient phe- nomenon but needs close monitoring with follow-up scans.

In this case series we investigated nephrocalcinosis with early follow-up and ultrasound of kidneys to compare the baseline findings.This helped us in defining absolute outcome to the parents in case of neonatal nephrocalcinosis. Moreover, it helped our fellows in making timely diagnosis and proper counselling.