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Osteomalacia of the mother--rickets of the newborn
Insights
Neonatal rickets in infants is linked to maternal osteomalacia, often caused by vitamin D deficiency. Early diagnosis and vitamin D3 treatment are effective for both mother and child.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Neonatal rickets is a rare condition affecting infants.
- Maternal osteomalacia, a bone disorder, can precede neonatal rickets.
- Vitamin D deficiency is a known cause of osteomalacia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on cases of neonatal rickets.
- To investigate the link between maternal osteomalacia and neonatal rickets.
- To highlight the importance of vitamin D in maternal and infant health.
Main Methods:
- Observation of four neonatal rickets cases over four years.
- Clinical examination including radiological and laboratory tests.
- Assessment of maternal history of osteomalacia.
Main Results:
- Four infants presented with neonatal rickets, with mothers diagnosed with osteomalacia.
- Infants showed symptoms like craniotabes and radial fractures.
- Laboratory tests confirmed decreased 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and increased alkaline phosphatase.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal rickets can result from maternal osteomalacia due to vitamin D deficiency.
- Low-dose vitamin D3 therapy effectively treated the infants.
- Screening and treating vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women, especially those at risk, is crucial.
Abstract:
During the last 4 years we observed four cases of neonatal rickets. The mothers of the infants suffered from osteomalacia for 1-3 years prior to its diagnosis shortly after the birth of their children. All four infants were born with craniotabes, and one infant had, in addition, a radial fracture. The diagnoses were confirmed by radiological and laboratory tests which revealed a rarefied bone structure, decreased serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and increased alkaline phosphatase levels in all patients. The disorder regressed under low-dose vitamin D3 therapy. As osteomalacia seems to be predominant in oriental women living in Berlin, it is necessary to consider vitamin D deficiency when clinical symptoms of this disease arise and to treat these women at least during pregnancy.