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Tuberculosis and profound hypovitaminosis D in an infant

Abdallah F Elias1, Joel Dunn, Mark K Huntington

  • 1Johns Hopkins Hospital, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. aelias2@jhmi.edu

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|June 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

A severe vitamin D deficiency (hypovitaminosis D) was diagnosed in an infant with tuberculosis and respiratory illness. This case highlights the critical link between vitamin D status and Mycobacterium infections in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global health concern, particularly in pediatric populations.
  • Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune function and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various infections, including TB.

Observation:

  • A young infant presented with febrile respiratory illness, irritability, and failure to thrive.
  • Clinical evaluation revealed profound hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D deficiency) and severe hypocalcemia.
  • Active pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed concurrently.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrates a severe deficiency in vitamin D (hypovitaminosis D) coexisting with active pulmonary tuberculosis in an infant.
  • This presentation underscores a potential interrelationship between Mycobacterium infection and compromised vitamin D status.

Implications:

  • Pediatricians should consider vitamin D assessment in infants presenting with severe infections, especially tuberculosis.
  • Understanding the interplay between vitamin D and Mycobacterium infections is crucial for effective pediatric patient management and treatment strategies.

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