A child with renal insufficiency was treated with the oral phosphate binder aluminum hydroxide from age 6 to 31 months. The prescribed dose of elemental aluminum varied from 31 to 108 mg/kg/d. Concurrently the patient developed vitamin D-resistant osteomalacia which failed to improve with parathyroidectomy. Encephalopathy with myoclonic seizures, loss of speech, and motor impairment also occurred. Serum and bone aluminum levels were elevated at 334 micrograms/L (normal 7 +/- 3 micrograms/L) and 156 mg/kg (normal 3.3 +/- 2.9 mg/kg), respectively. This case demonstrates that aluminum may accumulate in tissue of children receiving oral aluminum hydroxide. The accumulation of aluminum may have contributed to the vitamin D-resistant osteomalacia and the encephalopathy in this patient. Children receiving aluminum-containing antacids as phosphate binders should be monitored for aluminum accumulation and signs of aluminum intoxication.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Griswold et al. (1983) studied this question.