Status epilepticus secondary to hypocalcemia due to vitamin D deficiency

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is becoming more common around the world, owing to reduced sunshine exposure and an imbalanced diet. However, severe hypocalcemia as a result of vitamin D insufficiency is a rare occurrence, and it seldom leads to seizures in children. We present such a case in a 6-month-old infant who presented status epilepticus secondary to hypocalcemia due to vitamin D deficiency, which was first misdiagnosed as epilepsy. Thereby we want to emphasize that hypocalcemia secondary to vitamin D deficiency can lead to convulsion and the importance of vitamin D supplementation.

Keywords

• epilepsy
• hypocalcemia
• anti-epileptic drug