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Congenital rickets presenting with hypocalcaemic seizures
The West Indian Medical Journal
|January 18, 2008
Summary
Maternal vitamin D deficiency caused rickets and hypocalcaemic seizures in eight infants. Neither mothers nor infants received vitamin D supplementation, highlighting the need for investigation in similar cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Neonatal hypocalcaemia is a critical condition requiring prompt diagnosis.
- Rickets, a bone disease, can manifest in infants due to nutritional deficiencies.
- Maternal health status, particularly vitamin D levels, can impact infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between maternal vitamin D deficiency and rickets in infants presenting with hypocalcaemic seizures.
- To identify the underlying causes of rickets in a cohort of infants with hypocalcaemic seizures.
- To establish recommendations for the investigation of neonatal hypocalcaemia.
Main Methods:
- Case series analysis of eight infants presenting with hypocalcaemic seizures.
- Assessment of maternal health, specifically for osteomalacia and vitamin D status.
- Review of vitamin D supplementation history for both mothers and infants.
Main Results:
- Eight infants were diagnosed with rickets following presentation with hypocalcaemic seizures.
- All mothers of affected infants had osteomalacia, indicating severe vitamin D deficiency.
- Neither mothers nor infants had received vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy or infancy.
Conclusions:
- Maternal vitamin D deficiency is a significant cause of rickets and neonatal hypocalcaemia.
- Infants presenting with seizures and hypocalcaemia, especially if unsupplemented with vitamin D, should be investigated for rickets.
- Universal vitamin D supplementation strategies may be crucial for preventing such cases.
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