Acute Oxalate Nephropathy Due to Bilimbi Poisoning: A Case Report

• Main Authors: Rajat Das Gupta, Debashis Datta, Suranjan Kumar.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Journal of Medical Students 2016-02-01
• Series: International Journal of Medical Students
• Subjects: averrhoa bilimbi; acute kidney injury; hemodialysis
• Online Access: http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/147

Background: The concentrated juice made from Averrhoa bilimbi is rich in oxalic acid. It can cause acute oxalate nephropathy by blocking the tubules with calcium oxalate crystals. Case: An elderly woman was admitted to the hospital with a history of swelling of the legs, facial puffiness, and abdominal distention. Her biochemical study revealed features of acute renal failure. She gave history of taking half liter of bilimbi juice. Renal biopsy confirmed it was a case of acute oxalic nephropathy, which made it the second case of acute oxalic nephropathy due to ingestion of bilimbi juice ever reported from Bangladesh. Conclusion: It is not safe to consume high oxalate-containing fruits in large quantities.