Dialysis encephalopathy in a non-dialysed uraemic boy treated with aluminium hydroxide orally

Abstract

Brain aluminium concentration has been found significantly higher in patients dying with dialysis encephalopathy than in uraemic patients without this syndrome, and it has previously been reported only in haemodialysed patients. We report a case of high brain aluminium concentration in a uraemic boy showing symptoms of severe encephalopathy. He was never dialysed but only treated with aluminium hydroxide orally. Baluarte reported corresponding symptoms in nondialysed uraemic children, but brain aluminium concentrations were not reported. His patients as well as our had very high levels of parathormone which may play a role in the resorption and distribution of aluminium. Aluminium preparations should be avoided in children with renal failure.