Case Report
Volume: 4 | Issue: 6 | Published: Jun 27, 2020 | Pages: 223 - 225 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/173-1589037287
A case report of tetanic crisis from acute severe hypocalcemia secondary to hypovitaminosis D: analysis of risk factors for vitamin D deficiency between 1 and 18 years
Authors: Jessica Gencarelli , Alessandra Iacono , Giuditta Pellino , Cristina Host , Giuseppe Maggiore
Article Info
Authors
Jessica Gencarelli
Section of Pediatrics, Medical Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Arcispedale Sant'Anna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Alessandra Iacono
Department of Pediatrics, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Local Health Unit of Romagna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Giuditta Pellino
Section of Pediatrics, Medical Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Arcispedale Sant'Anna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Cristina Host
Section of Pediatrics, Medical Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Arcispedale Sant'Anna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Giuseppe Maggiore
Section of Pediatrics, Medical Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Arcispedale Sant'Anna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Publication History
Received: May 12, 2020
Revised: May 26, 2020
Accepted: June 01, 2020
Published: June 27, 2020
Abstract
Background: Hypocalcemia is one of the most common disorders of metabolism in children. One of the most known causes is hypovitaminosis D, an extremely widespread condition in the world, both in developed and developing countries. Etiology is related to poor exposure to sunlight and inadequate diet, especially in subjects with dark skin or exclusively breastfed or born to mothers with vitamin D deficiency by ethnic and cultural reasons. Case Presentation: We report a case of a teenager from Morocco, who presented a tetanic crisis in the course of influenza B. The laboratory tests showed severe hypocalcemia and low serum vitamin D concentration with increased parathyroid hormone value. The administration of calcium and vitamin D normalized the clinical and laboratory parameters. Conclusions: Adolescents of ethnic groups at risk frequently find themselves in a chronic situation of altered metabolism deriving from vitamin D deficiency. Hence, a simple insult, as influenza B virus, can lead to severe pathological manifestations.
Keywords: Hypovitaminosis D risk factors, hypocalcemia, influenza B, adolescent, case report, green
