RICKETS RESISTANT TO VITAMIN D THERAPY

Abstract

In certain rare cases of rickets, in which the condition is frequently designated rachitis tarda or resistant rickets,¹more vitamin D than the amount ordinarily effective for the prevention and cure of rickets is required. During the past six years six such cases have been encountered at the Children's Hospital. One of the patients in whom rickets was particularly resistant to vitamin D therapy, who is now 16 years of age, has been observed for fourteen years. The information at hand concerning this patient is pertinent not only to the treatment in such cases but also to a general consideration of rickets and vitamin D therapy. This study deals with the following specific questions concerning such cases: First, is the abnormal condition of the bone due to true rickets? Second, what is the relation between the parathyroid function and the abnormal condition? Is there hyperparathyroidism, and if so is