Early history of renal rickets.

The first reports of renal osteodystrophy came from Europe in the late 19th century. A case report by Davies Colley in 1883 probably represented the first ever description of renal rickets. Although these reports were mostly descriptive with little or no discussion of the pathophysiological relationship, some of the recommendations for treatment were amazingly insightful and would still be valid by today's standards. The significance of dietary protein/phosphate restriction with vitamin D supplementation was already emphasized in these early days. Studies into the pathophysiology of renal rickets started in the early 20th century. A summary of the literature in the understanding of renal rickets is provided up to the 1940s.