Abstract

Serial measurements were made of total body calcium and sodium, using whole body neutron activation analysis, in six patients being treated for osteomalacia. All showed a rise in total body calcium ranging from 3 to 30%; this continued for up to 24 months after the start of treatment, though complete healing had apparently occurred after 6 months on the basis of histological examination of biopsy specimens of bone. As the total body calcium rose there was a fall in the non-exchangeable sodium pool in bone.