Long-term therapy with 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 in children with 'pseudo-deficiency' rickets.

This investigation confirms that 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha-OHD3) is a potent drug for the treatment of patients with pseudo-deficiency rickets (Balsan et al., 1975a; Reade et al., 1975; Prader et al., 1976). 1alpha-OHD3 corrects their intestinal malabsorption of calcium and phosphorus, normalizes their serum calcium and phosphate concentrations and promotes healing of skeletal lesions. This study also shows differences in the needs for 1alpha-OHD3 of children with PDR. Three factors appear to be of importance: familial sensitivity, severity of chronic secondary hyperparathyroidism, and periods of increased growth velocity. Tolerance to long-term 1alpha-OHD3 therapy, at doses varying from 0.5 to 2 microgram/d is excellent. Surveillance of patients should include regular measurements of 24 h urinary excretion of calcium, since hypercalciuria is the first signal of overdosage.