Excessive calcium ingestion leading to milk-alkali syndrome.
This report describes the presentation and clinical course of a 40-year-old woman who had an emergency admission for eclampsia. During routine investigations, she was found to have profound hypercalcaemia, the cause of which was identified as milk-alkali syndrome, caused by self-medication with antacid tablets for dyspepsia. Treatment with aggressive rehydration, bisphosphonates and discontinuation of antacid tablets restored normocalcaemia. The patient made a full recovery with no long-term side-effects. Her male infant was safely delivered with no deleterious effects of exposure to high calcium concentrations in utero.
Bailey
C S
CS
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Gwent Hospital, Cardiff Road, Newport, South Wales, UK. Catherine.Bailey@gwent.wales.nhs.uk
Weiner
J J
JJ
Gibby
O M
OM
Penney
M D
MD