ORAL CALCIUM TREATMENT IN VITAMIN-D-DEPENDENT RICKETS TYPE-II

Vitamin D-dependent rickets type II is a rare hereditary disease that results from target organ resistance to the action of 1,25-dihydroxyvi tamin D-3. There is a great heterogeneity in the clinical presentation of this condition. The affected patients usually present early in chi ldhood with clinical and biochemical evidence of rickets. Physiologica l replacement dosage of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 has no therapeutic e ffect. Responses to pharmacological doses of vitamin D metabolites or long-term calcium infusion have been variable. A case is reported here of an 8 year old girl, of consanguineous parents with vitamin D-depen dent rickets, type II, in whom treatment with high dose oral calcium r esulted in marked biochemical and radiological improvement. It is conc luded that high dose oral calcium treatment is an effective treatment option for patients with vitamin D-dependent rickets type II.