25-hydroxycholecalciferol in the management of rickets associated with extrahepatic biliary atresia

In children with extrahepatic biliary atresia, impaired hydroxylation and defective intestinal absorption of cholecalciferol may lead to a deficiency of vitamin D and rickets. The data presented herein demonstrate that in such patients serum levels of vitamin D measured as 25-hydroxycalciferol are reduced. A moderate therapeutic oral dose of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, by circumventing the hepatic conversion of cholecalciferol to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, will replete vitamin D stores and maintain the serum concentration of 25-hydroxycalciferol required to prevent or heal rickets in these patients.