BONE MATURATION IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC RENAL-FAILURE - EFFECT OF 1ALPHA-HYDROXY VITAMIN-D3 AND RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION

Bone age is often retarded in children with chronic renal failure (Scharer et coll. 1976, Stickler 1976). As the kidney is the sole site of C-1 hydroxylation, the transformation of vitamin D to the biologically active metabolite 1.25 (OH)2 vitamin D3 is reduced in these patients (Fraser & Kodicek 1970). Increased growth and healing of bone lesions have previously been reported to occur in children with renal osteodystrophy when treated with 1.25 (OH)2 vitamin D3 (Chesney et coll. 1978) and healing of bone lesions has been demonstrated in children treated with 1α-OH vitamin D3 (Nielsen et coll. 1977). However, no report concerning the effect of 1.25 (OH)2 vitamin D3 and 1α-OH vitamin D3 on bone maturation in children with chronic renal failure has appeared in the literature. The effects of treatment with 1α-OH vitamin D3 on bone maturation in children during hemodialysis were analysed and compared with the effect of successful renal transplantation. The results are now reported.