STUDYING VITAMIN D INTOXICATION IN CHILDREN

Ingesting high amounts of vitamin D results in soft tissue calcification,
nephrocalciosis, neurologic complications and even death in severe cases. The aim of this study was to
evaluate vitamin D intoxication in children who referred to children's Hospital of Tabriz/Iran.
Materials & Methods: The medical documents of all children admitted in Children's Hospital of
Tabriz with diagnosis of Vitamin D intoxication from 2000 to 2012 were studied, retrospectively. The
variables were demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings and outcome of patients.
Results: During 12 years, 20 patients (14 boys, 6 girls) with diagnosis of hypervitaminosis D with a
mean age of 17.2±6.4 months (9-28 months) were evaluated. The most common symptoms were:
anorexia (85%), vomiting (80%), weight loss (70%), dehydration (55%), constipation (45%) and
polydipsia (40%). The mean serum level of total calcium was 13.5±3.7 mg/dl (12-17 mg/dl). The
mean level of phosphor, 25(OH) D and parathormone were 6.3±1.4 mg/dl, 191.7±87.6 ng/ml and
14±8.8 ng/ml respectively. Ten patients (50%) had medullary nephrocalcinosis in renal sonography.
Treatment modalities were: hydration with normal saline in all patients, frusemide in 16(80%),
prednisolon in 15 (75%) and pamidronate in 3 (15%) patients. All patients were followed for 1-5.5
years. In the follow-up period recurrence of clinical symptoms and hypercalcemia was not seen in any
patient. However nephrocalcinosis was persistent in the last follow up visit in all ten cases.
Conclusion: Administration of high doses of vitamin D without considering its serum level and
without considering the criteria of rickets may result in vitamin D intoxication. Late diagnosis of
intoxication causes acute and long term complications