Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2025
A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
Clinical Profile, Intensive Care Needs and Outcome of Children with Dilated Cardiomyopathy Associated with Vitamin D
Surjeet Kumar1, Manjinder Singh Randhawa1, Suresh Kumar Angurana1
1Division of Pediatric Emergency and Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatrics Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency can cause dilated cardiomyopathy in children, presenting with respiratory and cardiac issues. Prompt treatment with vitamin D supplementation leads to full recovery, highlighting its reversible nature.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Intensive Care Medicine
Background:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in children can be linked to nutritional deficiencies.
- Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a potential, yet often overlooked, cause of pediatric DCM.
Aim:
To describe the clinical profile, treatment details, intensive care needs, and long-term outcome of children with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) associated with Vitamin D deficiency (VDD).
Materials And Methods:
Case records of 14 children with DCM associated with VDD [25(OH)D3 levels <20 ng/mL] admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary care teaching hospital between January 2017 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed for clinical features, echocardiographic findings, treatment details, intensive care needs, and outcomes.
Results:
The median (IQR) age was 6 (2-9) months and 71% (n=10) were males. The common modes of presentation included respiratory distress or failure (78.6%), congestive cardiac failure (71.4%), cardiogenic shock (37.5%), and seizures and encephalopathy (14.3% each). The median (IQR) serum calcium was 8.7 (7-9.5) mg%, ionized calcium 0.7 (0.7-1.1) mmol/L, alkaline phosphatase 343 (316-415) IU/L, phosphate 3.5 (2.6-4.5) mg%, PTH 115 (66-228) pg/mL, and 25(OH)D3 5 (3-7) ng/mL. The median (IQR) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at admission was 22 (17-25)%. The treatment included intravenous calcium infusion (35.7%), vitamin D supplementation in all (57.1% parenteral and 42.9% oral), mechanical ventilation (35.7%), and vasoactive drugs (57.1%). There was no mortality. The median (IQR) duration of PICU and hospital stay was 76 (31-98) hours and 6 (4.7-10) days, respectively. Out of 14 children, 10 (71.4%) were followed-up till median (IQR) of 10 (7-58) months. All were asymptomatic and had normal LEVF (except one had residual moderate mitral regurgitation).
Conclusion:
Vitamin D deficiency is a potentially treatable and reversible cause of DCM in children.
How To Cite This Article:
Kumar S, Randhawa MS, Angurana SK, Nallasamy K, Bansal A, Kumar MR, et al. Clinical Profile, Intensive Care Needs and Outcome of Children with Dilated Cardiomyopathy Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency: A 5-year PICU Experience. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(7):510-514.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
01:29Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations