title: Chalk and cheese: symptomatic hypocalcaemia during paediatric anti-tuberculous therapy.
abstract: Standard anti-tuberculosis therapy may disrupt normal vitamin D metabolism and consequently calcium homeostasis, but this is previously unreported in paediatric patients. We describe two children developed symptomatic hypocalcaemia secondary to hypovitaminosis D, which had been precipitated by rifampicin and isoniazid. The complex relationship between tuberculosis, anti-tuberculosis therapy, vitamin D metabolism and calcium, together with the clinical implications, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Princess Margaret Medical Centre, WA, Australia. dburgner@paed.uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burgner
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schölvinck
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coren
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walters
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium