Generalized soft tissue calcification in children and adolescents with end stage renal failure.

Sixteen children and adolescents undergoing regular haemodialysis treatment were studied for the occurrence of metastatic calcifications. By the use of diphosphonate bone-scanning, roentgenography of the chest and skull and ocular slit lamp examination, generalized visceral calcification was diagnosed in two patients. No relationship between visceral calcification and biochemical, radiological or histological abnormalities of renal osteodystrophy was found. Our study demonstrates that visceral calcification also occurs in children with chronic renal failure and may be detected by scintigraphy.