Human synthetic calcitonin therapy for hypercalcemia of immobilization.

We studied four children with hypercalcemia of immobilization resulting from quadriplegia. After a trial of conventional therapy, human synthetic calcitonin was given subcutaneously at 0.5 to 2.5 mg per day in divided doses. Serum calcium concentrations returned to normal levels in all patients, decreasing an average of 0.72 mmol/L (2.9 mg/dl) within 4 to 10 days. Calcitonin therapy was effective for periods varying from 3 to 10 months. In one patient a bladder stone developed without nephrocalcinosis.