Calcium metabolism after renal transplantation.

Calcium metabolism was studied in four patients who had undergone renal transplantation from eight to 19 months previously. The studies included conventional biochemical and radiological parameters, undecalcified bone histology and metabolic balances. The only abnormality found was biochemical and histologic evidence of mild hyperparathyroidism. All patients were in approximate calcium balance, and there was no evidence of osteoporosis, osteomalacia or osteitis fibrosa. It is suggested that transplantation patients with stable, well functioning grafts and normal biochemical and radiologic parameters are unlikely to have or to be at risk of developing metabolic bone disease.