RELATION BETWEEN OSTEOCALCIN LEVELS AND BONE-MINERAL DENSITY IN IDIOPATHIC HYPERCALCIURIA IN CHILDREN

Diverse biochemical parameters relating to bone metabolism and bone mineral density were studied in 76 patients suffering from idiopathic hypercalciuria. Compared to the control group, the patients had significantly higher values of serum ionic calcium and urinary elimination of prostaglandin E(2), and significantly reduced serum phosphate, alkaline phosphatase and bone mineral density. No differences were found with respect to serum levels of parathyroid hormone levels, osteocalcin or creatinine. We postulate that the decreased mineral density that we have found in some of our patients, which seems to be resorptive and not PTH-mediated, is not followed by an adequate compensatory osteoblastic activity. In some patients, an enhanced prostaglandin E(2) production may be involved.