OSTEOPENIA IN CEREBRAL-PALSY

The bone mineral density of the lumbar spine was assessed in nine non- ambulant children with cerebral palsy combined with measurements of se rum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and urinary calcium excr etion. Three children with recurrent fractures received treatment with bisphosphonates for periods ranging from 12-18 months. All the childr en demonstrated a severe reduction in bone mineral density even when a llowance was made for their body weight. There were no consistent abno rmalities of vitamin D or parathyroid hormone status. Three children h ad gross hypercalciuria. Each of the children treated with biphosphona tes demonstrated an increment in bone density ranging from 20-40% with no apparent adverse effects.