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Rickets due to dietary calcium deficiency

  • Nutrition
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Abstract

Three children, aged 15–18 months were referred because of clinical, radiological and biochemical manifestations of rickets. Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) values were within the normal range but 1,25-dihydroxychole-calciferol (1,25-diOH-D3) levels were markedly elevated. All signs and symptoms could be explained by dietary calcium deficiency. They all received the commercial Soya-drink — not adapted for infants — as their main source of nutrition for at least 6 months. Soya-drink has as extremely low calcium content. It should be remembered that defective calcium intake causes severe bone lesions and rickets in children in spite of adequate vitamin D supply.

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Abbreviations

25-OH-D3:

25-hydroxycholecalciferol

1,25-diOH-D3:

1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol

PTH:

parathyroid hormone

References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-300, Leuven, Belgium

    E. Legius, W. Proesmans, E. Eggermont & R. Vandamme-Lombaerts

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium

    R. Bouillon

  3. Department of Radiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium

    M. Smet

Authors
  1. E. Legius
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  2. W. Proesmans
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  3. E. Eggermont
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  4. R. Vandamme-Lombaerts
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  5. R. Bouillon
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  6. M. Smet
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Legius, E., Proesmans, W., Eggermont, E. et al. Rickets due to dietary calcium deficiency. Eur J Pediatr 148, 784–785 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00443112

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00443112

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