Congenital vitamin D deficiency: presenting with feeding difficulty in early infancy: a case report
Abstract Background Vitamin D deficiency remains a significant public health concern, particularly among exclusively breastfed infants. Infants born to mothers with vitamin D deficiency, often influenced by cultural factors affecting diet, lifestyle, and clothing, are at increased risk of developing...
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2025-02-01
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| author | Mesfin Wubishet Tesfa G. Meskel Kibret Enyew |
| author_facet | Mesfin Wubishet Tesfa G. Meskel Kibret Enyew |
| author_sort | Mesfin Wubishet |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Vitamin D deficiency remains a significant public health concern, particularly among exclusively breastfed infants. Infants born to mothers with vitamin D deficiency, often influenced by cultural factors affecting diet, lifestyle, and clothing, are at increased risk of developing early and potentially fatal complications of hypocalcemic vitamin D deficiency. While seizures and tetany are well-recognized manifestations of hypocalcemia in infants, less common symptoms, such as feeding difficulties and recurrent apnea, are rarely documented. . Case presentation We present the case of a 50-day-old Ethiopian full-term infant, born to a Muslim Ethiopian mother, who experienced feeding difficulties, frequent brief episodes of apnea, and cyanosis since birth. The underlying cause was identified as hypocalcemia-induced laryngospasm due to congenital vitamin D deficiency, which resulted from maternal vitamin D deficiency. The mother, who has worn a niqab since childhood, had minimal sun exposure, contributing to her low vitamin D levels. The infant was successfully treated with intravenous calcium gluconate, followed by oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation, leading to complete resolution of symptoms and normalization of biochemical parameters. Conclusion Hypocalcemia-induced laryngospasm presenting with feeding difficulties and recurrent apneic episodes is a rare yet serious clinical condition. This report emphasizes the need to consider hypocalcemia as a potential cause of unexplained feeding difficulties or recurrent apnea in newborns and infants. Therefore, clinicians should remain vigilant and maintain a high index of suspicion to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. It is essential to measure serum calcium and vitamin D levels in both the mother and infant, particularly for newborns of high-risk mothers, such as those who wear conservative religious clothing like a niqab. Furthermore, routine biochemical screening for vitamin D deficiency should be incorporated into antenatal care for all high-risk mothers, with appropriate supplementation to prevent potential complications in both mothers and their infants. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5d21e0b21efd44c08edc3e7d24be436b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-5d21e0b21efd44c08edc3e7d24be436b2025-02-09T12:38:33ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-02-011911510.1186/s13256-025-05076-7Congenital vitamin D deficiency: presenting with feeding difficulty in early infancy: a case reportMesfin Wubishet0Tesfa G. Meskel1Kibret Enyew2Department of Pediatrics, Arsi University College of Health SciencesDepartment of Pediatrics, Arsi University College of Health SciencesDepartment of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism Division, Bahir Dar UniversityAbstract Background Vitamin D deficiency remains a significant public health concern, particularly among exclusively breastfed infants. Infants born to mothers with vitamin D deficiency, often influenced by cultural factors affecting diet, lifestyle, and clothing, are at increased risk of developing early and potentially fatal complications of hypocalcemic vitamin D deficiency. While seizures and tetany are well-recognized manifestations of hypocalcemia in infants, less common symptoms, such as feeding difficulties and recurrent apnea, are rarely documented. . Case presentation We present the case of a 50-day-old Ethiopian full-term infant, born to a Muslim Ethiopian mother, who experienced feeding difficulties, frequent brief episodes of apnea, and cyanosis since birth. The underlying cause was identified as hypocalcemia-induced laryngospasm due to congenital vitamin D deficiency, which resulted from maternal vitamin D deficiency. The mother, who has worn a niqab since childhood, had minimal sun exposure, contributing to her low vitamin D levels. The infant was successfully treated with intravenous calcium gluconate, followed by oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation, leading to complete resolution of symptoms and normalization of biochemical parameters. Conclusion Hypocalcemia-induced laryngospasm presenting with feeding difficulties and recurrent apneic episodes is a rare yet serious clinical condition. This report emphasizes the need to consider hypocalcemia as a potential cause of unexplained feeding difficulties or recurrent apnea in newborns and infants. Therefore, clinicians should remain vigilant and maintain a high index of suspicion to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. It is essential to measure serum calcium and vitamin D levels in both the mother and infant, particularly for newborns of high-risk mothers, such as those who wear conservative religious clothing like a niqab. Furthermore, routine biochemical screening for vitamin D deficiency should be incorporated into antenatal care for all high-risk mothers, with appropriate supplementation to prevent potential complications in both mothers and their infants. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05076-7Congenital ricketsVitamin D deficiencyHypocalcemiaLaryngospasmFeeding difficulty |
| spellingShingle | Mesfin Wubishet Tesfa G. Meskel Kibret Enyew Congenital vitamin D deficiency: presenting with feeding difficulty in early infancy: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports Congenital rickets Vitamin D deficiency Hypocalcemia Laryngospasm Feeding difficulty |
| title | Congenital vitamin D deficiency: presenting with feeding difficulty in early infancy: a case report |
| title_full | Congenital vitamin D deficiency: presenting with feeding difficulty in early infancy: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Congenital vitamin D deficiency: presenting with feeding difficulty in early infancy: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Congenital vitamin D deficiency: presenting with feeding difficulty in early infancy: a case report |
| title_short | Congenital vitamin D deficiency: presenting with feeding difficulty in early infancy: a case report |
| title_sort | congenital vitamin d deficiency presenting with feeding difficulty in early infancy a case report |
| topic | Congenital rickets Vitamin D deficiency Hypocalcemia Laryngospasm Feeding difficulty |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05076-7 |
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