CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 45, no. 4, 2019

The Approach to Tetanic Hypocalcemia Caused by Vitamin D Deficiency

[Case report]

I. BAKALLI(1), E.KOLA(1), E. CELAJ(1), D. SALA(1), I. GJETA(1), D. KLIRONOMI(2), A. GJIKOPULLI(1)

1)Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Center “Mother Theresa”, Tirana, Albania; 2)Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria


Abstract:

Recently studies have shown that over half of infants, children and teenagers may be inadequately supplemented. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children has been observed worldwide, even in sunny countries. Regardless of the recommendations, vitamin D supplementation is sometimes underestimated, supporting the idea that for children in sunny country it is unnecessary. In the modern area of supplementation, tetany seems to be a problem of the past. Usually it occurs at 3 to 6 months of age, that’s why diagnostic suspicion may be low after this age. We report a case of severe hypocalcemia presented with tetany, in an18-months-old child with severe vitamin D deficiency, because of not receiving vitamin D as supplementation. With underestimation of vitamin D supplementation, tetany may emerge again. Through our report we aim to highlight the aggressive approach to tetanic hypocalcemia in children with vitamin D deficiency and to sensitize a rigorous surveillance in order to ensure adequate vitamin D supplementation by pregnant, breastfeeding mothers, children and adolescents.


Keywords: Vitamin D deficiency, Hypocalcemia, Tetany



Corresponding: Ilirjana Bakalli, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Center "Mother Theresa", Tirana, Albania, e-mail: ilirjanabakalli@yahoo.com


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.45.04.10 - Download PDF
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