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Calcium absorption in Nigerian children with rickets
Mariaelisa Graff1, Tom D Thacher, Philip R Fischer
1Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Utah, Salt Lake City and Chemical Pathology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|November 9, 2004
Summary
Nigerian children with rickets do not have impaired calcium absorption. However, fractional calcium absorption significantly increases after treatment, suggesting inadequate absorption during active disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Nutritional rickets is prevalent in Nigerian children and responds to calcium supplementation.
- Low dietary calcium intake is common in Nigerian children, irrespective of rickets status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess intestinal calcium absorption in Nigerian children diagnosed with rickets.
Main Methods:
- A dual-tracer stable-isotope method was employed to measure calcium absorption in 15 children with active rickets and 15 controls.
- Calcium absorption was re-evaluated after 6 months of calcium supplementation in the children with rickets.
Main Results:
- Fractional calcium absorption did not differ between children with rickets (61%) and controls (63%) at baseline.
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium were lower, while 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone were higher in children with rickets.
- Fractional calcium absorption significantly increased after calcium supplementation (from 61% to 81%) in children with rickets.
Conclusions:
- The intrinsic capacity for intestinal calcium absorption is not impaired in Nigerian children with rickets.
- Fractional calcium absorption improves following treatment and resolution of active rickets.
- Calcium absorption may be insufficient to meet skeletal needs during active rickets, despite similar absorption rates to controls.