Calcium and parathyroid disorders in children. Chronic renal failure and treatment with calcitriol.

Progression of renal failure, represented by rising serum creatinine concentrations, was correlated with progressive elevation of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations in 23 children. A significant linear relationship was established. Despite normal serum calcium concentrations in 11 children receiving maintenance hemodialysis, circulating PTH concentrations were elevated after six months. Progressive deterioration with time occurred in all variables tested, at six-month intervals. These complications were reversible with kidney transplantation or treatment with 0.25 to 2 microgram/day of calcitriol for four to 20 weeks.