title: Changes in total body calcium after renal transplantation: effect of low-dose steroid regime.
abstract: Total body calcium was measured in 8 men and 4 women, aged 20-51 years, undergoing kidney transplantation. The initial measurement was made within 8 weeks of operation and subsequent measurements up to 33 months postoperatively. Transplant rejection was prevented by low-dose prednisolone therapy (20 mg/day). 2 patients underwent parathyroidectomy for hypercalcaemia, and their total body calcium increased by 29 g (3%) and 66 g (8%). In the remainder the mean annual change was -0.9% (3.7, SD) over an average follow-up period of 17 months. This fall in total body calcium was statistically insignificant and was smaller than that previously described in patients treated with higher doses of steroids.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000502:physiology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011239:Prednisolone; D003404:Creatinine; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium