Mineral metabolism in infants with malignant osteopetrosis: heterogeneity in plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels and bone histology.

Abstract

A group of 16 infants, 2 weeks to 11 months old, with malignant osteopetrosis were investigated to examine their vitamin D metabolism and parathyroid function. Bone biopsies from 6 children were studied by light microscopic histomorphometry and by electron microscopy. Considerable heterogeneity existed among the patients with respect to the parameters reflecting mineral metabolism and with respect to the histological manifestations of the disease. The most constant findings were as follows. Immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) was elevated in all children, except in 1 patient who had tubular acidosis, and plasma calcium was low or normal, suggesting skeletal resistance to PTH. Plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] was not constantly elevated and appeared to depend on plasma phosphorus, as both parameters were negatively correlated (r = 0.704, p less than 0.01). Osteoblast activity, as evaluated by circulating alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin and osteoblast number, measured for 6 children by bone histology, were not increased, despite hyperparathyroidism, suggesting PTH resistance or defective osteoblasts. Osteoclasts could be detected in 5 of the 6 children who had a biopsy. Osteoclast number (5.7-13.3% of bone surface) was normal or mildly increased, and marrow spaces were relatively well developed in 4 patients, whereas 1 child had markedly increased osteoclast number (28.3% of bone surface) and reduced marrow cavities. These 5 children received transplants, and engraftment occurred in all, except in the "hyperosteoclastic" patient. Further studies are necessary to establish the prognostic significance of this histologic feature.

• Authors: G Cournot, C L Trubert-Thil, M Petrovic, A Boyle, C Cormier, D Girault, A Fischer, M Garabedian
• Journal: Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (J Bone Miner Res) Vol. 7 Issue 1 Pg. 1-10 (Jan 1992) ISSN: 0884-0431 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1549952 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dihydroxycholecalciferols
• Parathyroid Hormone
• Alkaline Phosphatase
• Calcium

Topics

• Alkaline Phosphatase (blood)
• Bone and Bones (pathology, ultrastructure)
• Calcium (blood, urine)
• Dihydroxycholecalciferols (blood)
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Microscopy, Electron
• Osteoclasts (pathology, ultrastructure)
• Osteopetrosis (blood, congenital, pathology, physiopathology)
• Parathyroid Glands (physiopathology)
• Parathyroid Hormone (blood)