Rickets due to dietary calcium deficiency.

Three children, aged 15-18 months were referred because of clinical, radiological and biochemical manifestations of rickets. Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) values were within the normal range but 1,25-dihydroxychole-calciferol (1,25-diOH-D3) levels were markedly elevated. All signs and symptoms could be explained by dietary calcium deficiency. They all received the commercial Soya-drink - not adapted for infants - as their main source of nutrition for at least 6 months. Soya-drink has an extremely low calcium content. It should be remembered that defective calcium intake causes severe bone lesions and rickets in children in spite of adequate vitamin D supply.