Concentrations of antimony in infants dying from SIDS and infants dying from other causes

BACKGROUND—A patient with cysticfibrosis (CF) and repeated calcium oxalate renal stones prompted us toinvestigate other children for risk factors for this recognisedcomplication of CF.
METHODS—Twenty four hour urinaryexcretion of calcium, oxalate, and glycolate was measured in childrenwith CF and no symptoms of renal tract stones. Normal diet andtreatments were continued.
RESULTS—In 26 children (aged5-15.9 years) oxalate excretion was correlated with age; 14 of 26 children had oxalate excretion above an age appropriate normal range.There was a positive correlation between oxalate excretion andglycolate excretion. Mean calcium excretion was 0.06 mmol/kg/24 h with21 of 24 children having calcium excretion below the normal range.
CONCLUSIONS—Hyperoxaluria mayreflect malabsorption although correlation between excretion of oxalateand glycolate suggests a portion of the excess oxalate is derived frommetabolic processes. The hypocalciuria observed here may protectchildren with CF from renal stones.