title: Seizures as initial manifestation of vitamin D-deficiency rickets in a 5-month-old exclusively breastfed infant.
abstract: Despite the fact that sunlight-dependent skin synthesis is the major mechanism for vitamin D synthesis in vivo, vitamin D-deficiency rickets continues to occur in exclusively breastfed infants in Greece. We present such a case in a 5-month-old infant who presented with afebrile seizures and whose mother was underexposed to sunlight due to veiling for religious reasons. Additionally, we briefly but thoroughly review the relevant medical literature. A high index of suspicion is required for nutritional rickets, when seizures occur in exclusively breastfed infants whose mothers have inadequate exposure to sunlight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Democritus University of Thrace Medical School and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Thrace, Greece. emantada@med.duth.gr
authors.forename: Elpis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mantadakis
authors.forename: Savas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deftereos
authors.forename: Emmanouela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tsouvala
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomaidis
authors.forename: Athanassios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chatzimichael
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012279:Rickets / Q000150:complications*; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology*; D013472:Sunlight; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D