Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
Published on: September 20, 2024
Vitamin D deficiency presenting as seizures
Amitabh Sagar1, Gaurav Datta2, Muthukrishnan Jayaraman3
1Consultant (Acute Medicine), ULHT NHS, Lincoln County Hospital, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Vitamin D deficiency is commonly seen in the general population, likely due to lack of adequate exposure to sunlight as well as lack of sufficient dietary intake. However, severe hypocalcemia secondary to vitamin D deficiency, manifesting as seizures is uncommon. We present a series of such cases encountered by us in the time frame of June 2020 to Dec 2021 (the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic associated with a lockdown) during which patients of varying age groups presented with seizures. The only abnormality detected was severe hypocalcemia due to vitamin D deficiency and they all responded well to calcium and vitamin D replacement, without recurrence of seizures or hypocalcemia.
Related Concept Videos
Seizures: Classification
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers exert their antiepileptic effects by targeting T-type calcium channels, which are integral to transmitting nerve signals in the central nervous system. These channels allow the passage of calcium ions, which are vital for neuronal communication. By inhibiting T-type calcium channels, calcium channel blockers effectively reduce the release of neurotransmitters and...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers
Sodium channel blockers modulate ion channels, particularly voltage-gated sodium channels. They block only sodium ion movement.
Among the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs are...
Vitamins
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

