Hypercalciuria and Hypercalcemia Complicating Immobilization FREE

In this issue of the Journal (132:560-564, 1978), Rosen and his colleagues reemphasize a phenomenon long known but often forgotten, the dissolution of bone that results from immoblization. They described six boys, between 4 and 16 years old, in whom hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria occurred after bed rest and cast application for fracture of dislocation of weight-bearing bones. Others have found hypercalciuria, with or without hypercalcemia, in association with paralysis,¹ severe burns,² extensive casting for conditions other than fracture,³ the weightless state enjoyed (or at least endured) by astronauts,⁴ and voluntary bed rest, with⁵ or without, body spicas.⁶ In some of these studies, decreased bone density was evident by radiography¹ or by gamma scanning⁶; early and extensive osteoporosis characterized the large series of burn patients described by Evans and Smith.⁷ Although most subjects have been adults, the few reports involving children suggest that