Nineteen cases of symptomatic neonatal hypocalcemia secondary to vitamin D deficiency: a 2-year study.
Vitamin D deficiency can develop very early in infancy, and be characterized by severe hypocalcemic symptoms. This study was done to determine the relation between symptomatic hypocalcemia and vitamin D deficiency in newborn infants and their mothers in the state of Qatar. This is a retrospective study for all newborns presented to the Pediatric Emergency Centers in Qatar with symptomatic hypocalcemia from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2007. Nineteen newborn infants during the study period presented with symptomatic hypocalcemia. Vitamin D deficiency with or without relative hypoparathyroidism was the attributed cause. Vitamin D deficiency in newborn infants secondary to maternal vitamin D deficiency leading to hypocalcemic symptoms is not uncommon in the state of Qatar. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation in pregnant and lactating mothers in the state of Qatar should be considered after proper screening.
Teaema
Fathi Hassan
FH
Pediatric Department, Pediatric Emergency Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
Al Ansari
Khalid
K
D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000209:etiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011780:Qatar; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium