1α-Hydroxyvitamin D₃ in Intestinal Calcium Malabsorption

Abstract

The effect of oral 1α-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (1α (OH)D₃) was studied in six patients with calcium malabsorption and steatorrhoea due to small-intestinal resection or small-bowel disease. After 3 months of treatment with 1α (OH)D₃ a significant increase in calcium absorption, but not in bone mineral content (BMC), was observed. During treatment urinary calcium increased significantly. We conclude that comparative long-term studies should be carried out to determine the effect and side effects of 1α (OH)D₃ and conventional vitamin D in calcium malabsorption after small-intestinal resections.

Key-words:

• Calcium malabsorption
• chronic inflammatory bowel disease
• 1α(OH)D₃
• small-intestinal resection