Related Experiment Videos
[Tetany--a first symptom of celiac disease]
1Barneavdelingen Sentralsykehuset Ostfold Fredrikstad.
Insights
A rare case of hypocalcaemic tetany with hypovitaminosis D in an infant was linked to undiagnosed coeliac disease. This highlights that gastrointestinal symptoms are not always present in coeliac disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Science
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Seizures in children often stem from fever or epilepsy.
- Electrolyte, vitamin, or mineral imbalances can also trigger seizures.
- This case focuses on hypocalcaemic tetany associated with hypovitaminosis D.
Observation:
- An eight-month-old girl of Indian origin presented with seizures.
- Initial health was previously good.
- Investigations were performed to determine the cause of seizures.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with coeliac disease.
- Coeliac disease is characterized by enteropathy and malabsorption.
- Malabsorption in coeliac disease can lead to specific malnutrition.
Implications:
- Coeliac disease can manifest without typical gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.
- This case underscores the importance of considering coeliac disease in infants presenting with seizures and vitamin deficiencies.
- Early diagnosis and management of coeliac disease are crucial to prevent complications such as failure to thrive.
Background:
Seizures in children are usually caused by fever or epilepsy, though they may also be caused by electrolyte, vitamin or mineral disturbances. We describe a case of hypocalcaemic tetany with hypovitaminosis D.
Material And Methods:
The patient was a previously healthy eight months old girl of Indian origin.
Results:
Investigations revealed that she suffered from coeliac disease.
Interpretation:
Coeliac disease is a well-known disorder, characterised by enteropathy and malabsorption causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and failure to thrive. Enteropathy and specific malnutrition may occur in the total absence of gastrointestinal symptoms.