Bone disease associated with total parenteral nutrition.

An unusual metabolic bone disease which developed in 11 adults receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for more than 3 months was characterised by the insidious onset of bone pain which became very severe and caused considerable disability. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, and serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone were normal. Patchy osteomalacia with impaired mineralisation and decreased bone turnover were seen on histomorphometric analysis of bone biopsy specimens. All patients receiving long-term TPN had hypercalciuria, but no biochemical features that distinguished patients with symptoms from those without. Skeletal symptoms generally resolved 1-2 months after stoppage of the TPN infusions, despite nutritional deterioration. The pathogenesis of this syndrome remains unknown.