Nutritional osteomalacia - Substantial clinical improvement and gain in bone density posttherapy

A 52-yr-old white female presented with worsening low back and hip pain, as sociated with lower limb proximal muscle weakness and a waddling gait. Her laboratory evaluation revealed hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, a very low 2 5-hydroxyvitamin D level of less than 5 ng/ml, and a bone mineral density i n the osteoporotic range. Her laboratory studies were consistent with osteo malacia, although this diagnosis was not established by histomorphometry. S he avoided dairy products, spent little time outdoors, and when she went ou t, she covered her face, arms, and legs. She was on no medications. Her wor kup for malabsorption including sprue was negative. She was treated with ca lcium plus high-dose vitamin D 600,000 IU intramuscularly twice within 2 mo and had an impressive clinical improvement. Her difficulty with ambulation improved within 1 wk of start of therapy. Her bone mineral density increas ed by 40% at the spine and 35% at the hip at 4 mo of therapy, by 63% and 39 % at 10 mo, and by 62% and 52% at 15 mo at these sites, respectively. Treat ment of osteomalacia is extremely rewarding, with dramatic clinical improve ment and normalization of bone mineral density.