Vitamin-D poisoning: survey of causes in 21 patients with hypercalcaemia.
Hypercalcaemia developed in 21 patients due to vitamin-D poisoning; 2 were poisoned twice and 2 were poisoned three times. All patients had taken milligram doses of vitamin D, which for 5 patients was inappropriate. For the other 16 patients (mainly with hypoparathyroidism) milligram doses of vitamin D were appropriate; the patients were poisoned either early in therapy, trying to correct the plasma-calcium too quickly, or, later, because of failure to follow up patients properly. 2 patients died as a result of their intoxication. Constant vigilance is essential when patients are taking large doses of vitamin D.
D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D012080:Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000188:drug therapy; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D010018:Osteomalacia / Q000188:drug therapy; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D012646:Self Administration / Q000009:adverse effects; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects
D004872:Ergocalciferols; D002118:Calcium