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Published on: June 7, 2018
Vitamin D deficiency-associated cardiomyopathy in the paediatric population
Francesca Dhushanthi Simon1, James Wong2, Shahid Karim3
1Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, UK francescas758@gmail.com.
Insights
Severe vitamin D deficiency can cause heart failure in children. This case highlights vitamin D deficiency-associated cardiomyopathy in an infant presenting with cardiogenic shock.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is an under-recognized cause of heart failure in children.
- Vitamin D receptors are present on cardiac myocytes, indicating a role in cardiac function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of infant cardiomyopathy linked to severe vitamin D deficiency.
- To raise awareness of this under-recognized pediatric condition.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an infant presenting with cardiogenic shock.
- Diagnosis of severe vitamin D deficiency-associated cardiomyopathy.
Main Results:
- The infant presented with symptoms of cardiogenic shock.
- Severe vitamin D deficiency was identified as the cause of the cardiomyopathy.
Conclusions:
- Severe vitamin D deficiency is a critical cause of heart failure in the pediatric population.
- Prompt diagnosis and management of vitamin D deficiency are crucial for pediatric cardiac health.
Abstract:
Cardiomyopathy secondary to severe vitamin D deficiency is an under-recognised cause of heart failure in the paediatric population. There is growing evidence to show that vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining normal cardiac function due to the vitamin D receptors found on cardiac myocytes and calcitriol-dependent Ca2+-binding protein. This article presents the case of an infant who presented to a district general hospital paediatric emergency department in cardiogenic shock and was later diagnosed with severe vitamin D deficiency-associated cardiomyopathy.
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