[Effect of oral biphosphonates in patients with cystic fibrosis and low bone mineral density].

Unlabelled: Disturbances in bone mineralization are frequent in cystic fibrosis but few studies have focused on the use of biphosphonates in this indication, and none on the use of oral etidronate. We report our experience using this latter treatment.

Methods: The study was retrospective and included five children and three adults with cystic fibrosis (six males and two females) aged seven to 30 years with Z-scores for lumbar bone density lower than -2 SD after one year of calcium (1 g/day) and vitamin D (900 UI/day and 300,000 UI/6 months) supplementation.

[Mitochondrial cytopathy: an unusual infantile cause of total villous atrophy].

Villous atrophy in an infant immediately suggests food intolerance. We report a case with an unusual cause. This female infant was first examined at 5 months for anorexia and failure to thrive.

[Effectiveness and dangers of interferon-alpha in the treatment of severe hemangiomas in infants].

Unlabelled: Alarming hemangiomas, due to their site or repercussions, require pharmacological treatment. Corticosteroid therapy is indicated by first intention. In the event of failure, interferon alpha is proposed.

[Bone mineral density in patients with cystic fibrosis by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry].

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the bone mineral density of cystic fibrosis patients.

Patients And Methods: We have retrospectively studied 45 patients with cystic fibrosis, 22 females and 23 males, aged between six and 27 years (mean 13 +/- 5.5 years).