Original Articles
Acute Aluminum Toxicity Associated with Oral Citrate and Aluminum-Containing Antacids

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ABSTRACT

The authors report the development of a rapidly progressive encephalopathy marked by confusion, myoclonus, seizures, coma, and death in a group of women with renal failure who received an oral solution of citrate and aluminum hydroxide gel concurrently. Two patients were documented as having marked hyperaluminemia far exceeding blood aluminum levels encountered in the chronic state of aluminum intoxication. We ascribe the toxicity to enhanced gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum when complexed with citrate.

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Cited by (0)

The authors thank Michelle Wiggins for fine secretarial assistance and are grateful to the Epidemiology Unit of the Medical College of Virginia Hospital for time spent reviewing the medical records of the patients. The cooperation of the Metals Laboratory at the University of Virginia Medical Center also is acknowledged.

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Copyright © 1989 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.