[Seizures in foreign newborns due to maternal vitamin-D deficiency]

Area of Science:

• Neonatology
• Endocrinology
• Public Health

Background:

• Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women is a growing concern, particularly among those with darker skin pigmentation or who wear veils, limiting sun exposure.
• Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can lead to severe health issues in newborns, including hypocalcaemia and rickets.

Observation:

• Three newborns, from Moroccan, Turkish, and Sudanese backgrounds, presented with seizures in their second week of life.
• All three infants were diagnosed with hypocalcaemia attributed to neonatal vitamin D deficiency.

Findings:

• The infants' hypocalcaemia stemmed from maternal vitamin D deficiency, exacerbated by reduced sunlight exposure due to cultural practices (veiling) and dark skin pigmentation.
• Vitamin D supplementation effectively treated the infants, resolving the hypocalcaemia and associated symptoms.

Implications:

• The increasing prevalence of dark-skinned women and women who wear veils in populations like the Netherlands elevates the risk of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and newborns.
• Neonatal seizures should prompt consideration of vitamin D deficiency, especially in infants born to mothers belonging to at-risk groups.
• Public health strategies may need to address vitamin D supplementation for at-risk pregnant women and newborns to prevent rickets and hypocalcaemia.