Research Article Effect of Immobilization on Emerging of Hypercalciuria in Patients Admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Ab s t r a c t Purpose:Hypercalciuria as a common phenomenon in the normal population is associated with several complications such as urinary tract infections, colic pains and stone formation. In this study, our aim was to investigate association of immobilization and the incidence of hypercalciuria among children. Methods:Forty seven children who were active before the study over 2 years were hospitalized and immobilized in intensive care unit of hospital based on type or severity of illness. Calcium / creatinine ratio was evaluated, the rate of over 0.21 was considered as hypercalciuria. In 40 healthy children, this value was determined and compared by statistical methods of Paired t-test and independent t –test. P values less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results:The prevalence of hypercalciuria in immobilized patients was significantly higher than that of the control group after 7 days, which was 37 % versus 10 % respectively. The rate rose from 37 % to 53%, which was not statistically significant.Immobilization alone in the inception of hospitalization (first 48 hours) was associated with impaired calcium excretion in the urine. Urinary tract infection as a complication of hypercalciuria in patients and controls group such as hypercalciuria and uncommon calcium excretion was not normal, but microscopic hematuria was observed in patients with hypercalciuria in about 2.1 items. Conclusion:The hypercalciuria in the immobilized children was significantly more than in the normal children. One of th