THE CONGENITAL MAGNESIUM-LOSING KIDNEY - REPORT OF 2 PATIENTS

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 50  (197) , 39-52
Abstract
A 39 yr old man with a lifelong history of tetany and hypocalcemia had hypomagnesemia (0.29 mmol/l) due to renal Mg loss. His asymptomatic 29 yr old brother had a similar disorder. Both were infertile and had severe oligospermia but normal endocrine function. They had medullary nephrocalcinosis and the glomerular filtration rate was reduced. Renal biopsy showed patchy interstitial fibrosis and some glomerular sclerosis. EM showed thickened basement membranes in damaged glomeruli and in tubules in areas of fibrosis. Tests of renal tubule function were normal. Hypocalcemia and tetany were corrected by oral Mg supplements which raised the serum Mg level to around 0.54 mmol/l.