title: Calcium metabolism in the early post-transplant period.
abstract: Serum calcium levels follow a biphasic pattern after successful renal transplantation. After an abrupt decline during the immediate postoperative, serum calcium levels show a steady increase to reach a peak at month 3 to 6. Transient hypercalcemia is observed in up to 66% of the renal transplant recipients. Post-transplant hypercalcemia is mainly due to persistent hyperparathyroidism. Several lines of evidence support the hypothesis that hypercalcemia contributes to adverse outcomes. This hypothesis remains however to be confirmed by adequately designed and powered studies. These studies will definitely help to develop and implement guidelines with regard to the indication and timing of causal and symptomatic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Pieter.Evenepoel@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Evenepoel
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000378:metabolism; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000378:metabolism; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium