Immobilization hypercalcemia after single limb fractures in children and adolescents
J. F. Rosen, D. A. Wolin and L. Finberg
Immobilization hypercalcemia following a single limb fracture of one weight
bearing bone has been reported rarely in the pediatric age group.
Nevertheless, in six of 12 patients immobilization hypercalcemia developed,
associated with elevations in the urinary calcium/creatinine ratio and
serum levels of ionized calcium after a single limb fracture of a
weight-bearing bone during this two-year study period. We suggest that
immobilization hypercalcemia occurs frequently in both children and
adolescents after a single limb fracture of one weight-bearing bone,
exercises in bed fail to prevent immobilization hypercalcemia, serial
measurements of the serum ionized calcium and the urinary
calcium/creatinine ratio are critical measures in treating such patients,
and though complete mobilization is curative, transient calcitonin therapy
is highly effective in reversing the disorders in calcium metabolism.
