FRI595 Two Cases Of Severe Symptomatic Hypocalcemia Secondary To Vitamin D Deficiency Diagnosed Within The Same Week

Abstract

Abstract Disclosure: F.I. Cooper: None. U. Jonsdottir: None. G. Guadalupe Rios: None. N. Vyas: None. S. Gurnurkar: None. Background: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a significant role in intestinal calcium absorption. Humans acquire vitamin D through sun exposure and diet, though few foods naturally contain vitamin D in the amount needed to prevent deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency can result in nutritional rickets, which may present with impaired growth, weakened bones, dental abnormalities, and fractures secondary to decreased calcium absorption. Hypocalcemia can lead to a wide variety of clinical manifestations from mild symptoms such as irritability, tremors, and muscle cramps to life threatening seizures and arrhythmias. Case: This case series describes two children presenting to our pediatric emergency department within the same week with severe hypocalcemia secondary to profound vitamin D deficiency. The first was a 2-year-old female with prior medical history of 29-week prematurity who presented with a first time generalized tonic clonic seizure. She had a limited diet that consisted mostly of non-fortified almond milk. As an infant, she was on breast milk but did not receive vitamin D supplementation. On presentation, she was noted to have exam findings and radiographic evidence of rickets. The second was a 13-year-old male with history of non-verbal autism presenting with one month of diarrhea, agitation, and progressive leg pain. The patient was described as a picky eater and spent minimal time outdoors. Both children were found to have severe hypocalcemia (6.6 mg/dL and 4.8 mg/dL, respectively) in the setting of vitamin D deficiency (vitamin D-25 6.8 ng/dL and 4.9 ng/dL, respectively). They were successfully treated acutely with intravenous calcium gluconate bolus (one dose of 495 mg and three 2,000 mg) and oral calcium, with normalization of ionized calcium levels and improvement of symptoms. They were treated long-term with oral calcium, calcitriol, and vitamin D supplementation. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency should be considered in severe symptomatic hypocalcemia in children. Vitamin D supplementation is necessary in all breast-fed babies and a large proportion of other children not meeting vitamin D requirements through diet and sun exposure. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023