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Published on: January 29, 2018

Dilated cardiomyopathy as a first sign of nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets in infancy

M Abdullah1, J L Bigras, B W McCrindle

  • 1The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
|June 22, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency rickets caused severe heart problems in an infant. Supplementation fully restored his cardiac function, highlighting the critical role of vitamin D in pediatric cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious heart condition in infants.
  • Vitamin D deficiency rickets can present with various symptoms, including cardiac dysfunction.
  • Early diagnosis and management are crucial for infant health outcomes.

Observation:

  • A five-month-old boy presented with severe dilated cardiomyopathy.
  • Initial management included intravenous inotropes.
  • Laboratory tests revealed hypocalcemia secondary to vitamin D deficiency rickets.

Findings:

  • Cardiac function significantly improved during hospitalization.
  • Complete recovery of cardiac function was observed after six months of vitamin D supplementation.
  • This case highlights a direct link between vitamin D deficiency and severe pediatric cardiomyopathy.

Implications:

  • Vitamin D supplementation can be an effective treatment for certain types of pediatric cardiomyopathy.
  • Screening for vitamin D deficiency should be considered in infants with unexplained cardiac dysfunction.
  • Further research into the mechanisms of vitamin D's cardiac effects in infants is warranted.

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