[Diagnostic significance of calcitonin analysis in children with rickets and rickets-like diseases administered calcium test].

The secretory activity of C-cells of the thyroid was investigated in 25 children with rickets and rickets-like diseases. There were 13 children with grades II and III rickets, 6 with vitamin D-dependent rickets, and 6 with Debre-de Toni-Fanconi disease. Five normal children constituted a control group. The basal concentration of calcitonin did not differ from the control parameter in all patients' groups. An increased release of the hormone to the blood was noticed in response to calcium stimulation. The rise of blood calcitonin was determined by the disease pattern, which made it possible to use the test with a one-minute intravenous calcium injection for differential diagnosis purposes. The maximal changes were discovered in children suffering from vitamin D-dependent rickets.