Use of disodium pamidronate in children with hypercalcemia awaiting liver transplantation

Abstract

We report four children with advanced liver disease awaiting liver transplantation who developed moderately severe hypercalcemia (range: 1.65-2.40 mmol/L) while receiving total parenteral nutrition. Hypercalcemia had been unresponsive to cessation of calcium intake and therapy with loop diuretics and calcitonin. One or two intravenous doses of disodium pamidronate (35-50 mg/m2) resulted in normalization of plasma calcium concentration within 2-4 d in all four children. Pamidronate may be useful for children with hypercalcemia associated with liver disease.