Melamine toxicity: One more culprit in calcium kidney lithiasis

Abstract

An outbreak of uric acid and melamine kidney stones and obstructive acute renal failure in children appeared recently in China due to the ingestion of melamine-tainted formula. Liu and colleagues show that calcium urolithiasis is also strongly associated with urine melamine in adults in Taiwan. Although its effect measure is still uncertain, such an association is likely to be causal. These findings prompt further research into the source of exposure, impact in other settings, and changes over time. © 2011 International Society of Nephrology.