Low-dose oral etidronate therapy for immobilization hypercalcaemia associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

UNLABELLED: A low dose of oral etidronate (3.7 mg kg(-1) d(-1)) was administered for immobilization hypercalcaemia associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome in a 12-y-old boy. There was a slight increase in osteoblastic bone formation reflected by alkaline phosphatase and in particular bone-specific alkaline phosphatase during the treatment and serum calcium decreased to the normal range within 2 wk. No adverse side effects were observed and the patient's linear growth subsequently progressed. CONCLUSION: A low dose of oral etidronate is safe and effective for treatment of immobilization hypercalcaemia in children, without inhibiting bone formation.