Vitamin D deficiency rickets as a late complication of the short gut syndrome during infancy

Abstract

Four infants with less than 35 cm of jejunum and ileum remaining following neonatal operations and after being weaned from long-term total parenteral nutrition onto an "elemental" formula, developed the syndrome of vitamin D deficiency rickets at 9-15 mo of age. The diagnosis of rickets was confirmed by biochemical and radiographic findings. Serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25 OHD) values were significantly lower than normal and oral 25 OHD absorption studies indicated severe vitamin D malabsorption. This report emphasizes the importance of prospective assessment of all neonates having distal ileal resection to detect the early stages of vitamin D deficiency rickets.