Skeletal changes in Indian childhood cirrhosis

Thirty children with histopathological diagnosis of Indian childhood cirrhosis were studied for bone changes. Clinical diagnosis of ricket, based on skeletal deformities were made in seven cases. Radiological changes included osteoporosis in nine (30%) cases; osteoposis with healing or healed ricket in five (16·7%); and lines of arrested bone growth in ten (33·3%) cases. Mean serum calcium and phosphorus was low with increase in serum alkaline phosphate in cases of ricket complicating Indian childhood cirrhosis as compared to cases without ricket as well as normal controls. Biopsy from iliac creast inwelve cases, showed histopathological evidence of healing ricket in three cases.