Abstract

Background: Cortical nephrocalcinosis is a rare form of nephrocalcinosis in affected premature infants. Calcified pericardium with cortical nephrocalcinosis in a premature and very low birth weight infant is an unusual finding of metastatic calcification.

Case Presentation We report the case of a 23 week 600g premature female infant with cortical nephrocalcinosis with an unusual metastatic calcification of the pericardium. The infant was born to a multigravida mother and was initially admitted for very low gestational age and birth weight, prematurity, and respiratory distress. The patient developed severe renal failure and other severe complications during the duration of intensive care of 126 days.

Conclusion: The etiologies of neonatal cortical nephrocalcinosis are numerous. The most contributory reason for developing nephrocalcinosis in premature infants is an underdeveloped renal tubular system. Calcified pericardium with cortical nephrocalcinosis is an uncommon manifestation of metastatic calcification in a premature infant. It is important to find and to manage the underlying cause for the calcification before other major organs are involved.