Hypovitaminosis d and hypocalcemic seizures in infancy

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P Mehrotra1, R K Marwaha, S Aneja

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Kalawati Saran Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Indian Pediatrics
|December 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is a significant cause of infant seizures. Infants born to mothers with low vitamin D levels face a higher risk of developing these seizures.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Hypocalcemia is a leading cause of seizures in infants presenting to emergency departments.
  • This study investigates the link between vitamin D deficiency and these seizures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of hypocalcemic seizures in infants.
  • To assess vitamin D levels in infants with seizures and their mothers.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted from April 2006 to March 2007.
  • 60 infants with hypocalcemic seizures and their mothers were compared to 60 healthy breastfed infants and their lactating mothers.
  • Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and intact parathyroid hormone were measured.

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <10 ng/mL) was found in both mothers (85%) and infants (90%) with hypocalcemic seizures.
  • Significantly lower mean serum 25(OH)D levels were observed in mothers and infants in the study group compared to the control group (P<0.001).
  • A strong positive correlation existed between maternal and infant 25(OH)D levels, with 89% of infants with deficiency born to deficient mothers.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is a primary etiological factor for hypocalcemic seizures in infants.
  • Infants born to vitamin D-deficient mothers are at substantially increased risk for developing hypocalcemic seizures.
  • Screening and supplementation of vitamin D in at-risk mothers and infants are crucial.
Abstract

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