Abstract | BACKGROUND: Nutritional rickets is common in Nigerian children and responds to calcium supplementation. Low dietary calcium intakes are also common in Nigerian children with and without rickets. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess intestinal calcium absorption in Nigerian children with rickets. DESIGN:
Calcium absorption was assessed in 15 children with active rickets (2-8 y of age) and in 15 age- and sex-matched children without rickets by using a dual-tracer stable- isotope method. The children with rickets were supplemented with calcium for 6 mo; calcium absorption was reevaluated 12 mo after the baseline study. Fractional calcium absorption could be determined in 10 children with rickets and in 10 children without rickets. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: In Nigerian children with rickets, the capacity to absorb calcium is not impaired; however, fractional calcium absorption increases after the resolution of active disease. Calcium absorption may be inadequate to meet the skeletal demands of children with rickets during the active phase of the disease, despite being similar to that of control children.
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Authors | Mariaelisa Graff, Tom D Thacher, Philip R Fischer, Diane Stadler, Sunday D Pam, John M Pettifor, Christian O Isichei, Steven A Abrams |
Journal | The American journal of clinical nutrition
(Am J Clin Nutr)
Vol. 80
Issue 5
Pg. 1415-21
(Nov 2004)
ISSN: 0002-9165 [Print] United States |
PMID | 15531695
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Calcium
(blood, deficiency)
- Calcium, Dietary
(administration & dosage, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
- Case-Control Studies
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Humans
- Intestinal Absorption
- Male
- Nigeria
- Rickets
(drug therapy, metabolism)
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