Severe vitamin D deficiency in 6 Canadian First Nation formula-fed infants. 2013

Melissa L Gross, and Milton Tenenbein, and Elizabeth A C Sellers
Department of Paediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Canada.

BACKGROUND Rickets was first described in the 17th century and vitamin D deficiency was recognized as the underlying cause in the early 1900s. Despite this long history, vitamin D deficiency remains a significant health concern. Currently, vitamin D supplementation is recommended in Canada for breast fed infants. There are no recommendations for supplementation in formula-fed infants. OBJECTIVE The objective of this report is to bring attention to the risk of severe vitamin D deficiency in high risk, formula fed infants. METHODS A retrospective chart review was used to create this clinical case series. RESULTS Severe vitamin D deficiency was diagnosed in six formula-fed infants over a two-and-a-half year period. All six infants presented with seizures and they resided in First Nation communities located at latitude 54 in the province of Manitoba. While these infants had several risk factors for vitamin D deficiency, they were all receiving cow's milk based formula supplemented with 400 IU/L of vitamin D. CONCLUSIONS This report suggests that current practice with regards to vitamin D supplementation may be inadequate, especially for high-risk infants. Health care professionals providing service to infants in a similar situation should be aware of this preventable condition. Hopefully this would contribute to its prevention, diagnosis and management.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006996 Hypocalcemia Reduction of the blood calcium below normal. Manifestations include hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, Chvostek's sign, muscle and abdominal cramps, and carpopedal spasm. (Dorland, 27th ed) Hypocalcemias
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D002117 Calcitriol The physiologically active form of vitamin D. It is formed primarily in the kidney by enzymatic hydroxylation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (CALCIFEDIOL). Its production is stimulated by low blood calcium levels and parathyroid hormone. Calcitriol increases intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and in concert with parathyroid hormone increases bone resorption. 1 alpha,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol,1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1, 25-(OH)2D3,1,25(OH)2D3,1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol,1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1 alpha, 25-dihydroxy-20-epi-Vitamin D3,1,25(OH)2-20epi-D3,1,25-dihydroxy-20-epi-Vitamin D3,20-epi-1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecaliferol,Bocatriol,Calcijex,Calcitriol KyraMed,Calcitriol-Nefro,Decostriol,MC-1288,MC1288,Osteotriol,Renatriol,Rocaltrol,Silkis,Sitriol,Soltriol,Tirocal,1 alpha,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1,25 Dihydroxycholecalciferol,1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1,25 dihydroxy 20 epi Vitamin D3,Calcitriol Nefro,D3, 1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin,D3, 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin,D3, 1,25-dihydroxy-20-epi-Vitamin,KyraMed, Calcitriol,MC 1288
D002118 Calcium A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes. Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002170 Canada The largest country in North America, comprising 10 provinces and three territories. Its capital is Ottawa.
D002762 Cholecalciferol Derivative of 7-dehydroxycholesterol formed by ULTRAVIOLET RAYS breaking of the C9-C10 bond. It differs from ERGOCALCIFEROL in having a single bond between C22 and C23 and lacking a methyl group at C24. Vitamin D 3,(3 beta,5Z,7E)-9,10-Secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol,Calciol,Cholecalciferols,Vitamin D3
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001110 Arctic Regions The Arctic Ocean and the lands in it and adjacent to it. It includes Point Barrow, Alaska, most of the Franklin District in Canada, two thirds of Greenland, Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, Lapland, Novaya Zemlya, and Northern Siberia. (Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p66)
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective

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