Rickets secondary to phosphate depletion. A sequela of antacid use in infancy.

ABSTRACT

Two infants presented with growth failure and were found to have generalized osteomalacia (rickets) due to phosphate depletion from prolonged administration of an aluminum-containing antacid given for the symptoms of colic. One of the infants developed bilateral proptosis due to craniosynostosis related to the underlying metabolic bone disease. The chronic use of aluminum-containing antacids in infants has potential risk for the growing skeleton and is not innocuous. Therefore, antacid therapy should be used in low doses and very cautiously, with routine monitoring of serum calcium and phosphorus in children taking medications which reduce gastrointestinal phosphate absorption.