RICKETS SECONDARY TO PHOSPHATE-DEPLETION - A SEQUELA OF ANTACID USE IN INFANCY

Two infants presented with growth failure and were found to have gener alized osteomalacia (rickets) due to phosphate depletion from prolonge d administration of an aluminum-containing antacid given for the sympt oms of colic. One of the infants developed bilateral proptosis due to craniosynostosis related to the underlying metabolic bone disease. The chronic use of aluminum-containing antacids in infants has potential risk for the growing skeleton and is not innocuous. Therefore, antacid therapy should be used in low doses and very cautiously, with routine monitoring of serum calcium and phosphorus in children taking medicat ions which reduce gastrointestinal phosphate absorption.