Oxalate nephropathy due to gastrointestinal disorders.

Renal failure secondary to oxalate interstitial nephritis developed in three patients with malabsorption and steatorrhea following a jejunoileal bypass, extensive small intestine resection and a partial gastrectomy. Hyperoxaluria was documented in two of the cases. The possibility that this complication can occur in patients after a jejunoileal bypass operation is now recognized. This report shows that it can also occur in patients with other bowel disorders that cause malabsorption and steatorrhea. Since the prognosis for patients with oxalate nephropathy is poor, renal function should be closely monitored in patients who are at risk because of these disorders. Therapy should be directed at correcting malabsorption, steatorrhea and hyperoxaluria. When the renal function of patients with a jejunoileal bypass continues to decline despite intensive medical therapy, restoration of bowel continuity is strongly recommended.