Childhood renal osteodystrophy.

The processes of growth and remodeling that characterize growing bone are vulnerable to the biochemical effects of uremia. These processes are affected by the alterations in vitamin D metabolism and hyperparathyroidism that commonly occur with chronic renal insufficiency. Uremia interferes with cartilaginous developments as well. These changes, which are similar radiographically to vitamin-D-deficiency rickets, differ in their basic histological and biochemical evolution. They account for growth failure and deformity of long bones, which contribute to the short stature of children with renal insufficiency.