The osteodystrophy of prolonged obstructive liver disease in childhood.

Mild rickets was present in 7, and 3 others with severe bone disease developed widespread skeletal demineralization and multiple fractures. The intake of vitamin D was apparently loosely related to the severity of the osteodystrophy. The latter however, was closely linked to both the serum inorganic phosphate and the calciumXphosphate product. The serum calcium was directly related to the infant's gestational maturity, hypocalcaemia being present in those born before 35 weeks. Pathogenetic factors have probably included reactive hyperparathyroidism and nutritional deprivation associated with preterm delivery. Five of the infants who had biliary atresia developed radiological evidence of osteoporosis from about twelve months of age. This may be related to protracted calcium malabsorption, but its true nature remains to be elucidated.