Use of pamidronate in the management of acute cancer-related hypercalcemia in children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether pamidronate is a safe and effective agent for the treatment of severe hypercalcemia of malignancy in children.


METHODS
A retrospective review of the charts of five children treated with pamidronate 1-2 mg/kg for severe, refractory hypercalcemia of malignancy. All children failed conventional therapy. Statistical analysis was done utilizing the two-tailed Student's t-test.


RESULTS
All five children had complete resolution of their hypercalcemia in a predictable pattern within 24-48 hours. The average decrease in serum calcium was 1.63 mmol/L (6.54 mg/dl). (P < .01) The adverse effects were mild and transient, and consisted of hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and hypomagnesemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Pamidronate at a dose of 1 mg/kg is a safe and effective treatment for severe, refractory hypercalcemia of malignancy in children.
Young
G
G
Department of Pediatrics, Schneider Children's Hospital of Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New York, USA. gyoung@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu
Shende
A
A
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D000077268:Pamidronate; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077268:Pamidronate; D002118:Calcium