[Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and convulsive seizures]

In a patient with primary hypoparathyroidism the disease ran for years only generalized convulsions resistant to antiepileptic medication, and was lately complicated by bilateral cataracts. Low serum calcium and elevated serum phosphorus found on occasion of a grand mal status resistant to routine treatment and to intravenous barbiturates revealed the correct diagnosis. The seizures have been suppressed by normalyzing the serum calcium levels. The pathophysiology of convulsive seizures during hypocalcemia is discussed, and the possibility is raised that antiepileptic drugs could have contributed to hypocalcemia through a vitamin D deficiency.