Abstract
Background and Objectives: Despite understanding of predisposing factors and attempts to prevent, nutritional rickets has made resurgence in many parts of the world. Although not all children with rickets will be hypocalcemic, but hypocalcemic seizure is the most common reason for admission of these children in hospitals. This study was aimed to assess the vitamin D deficient rickets in admitted infants and children, and to recognize the contributing factors in hypocalcemic seizure in these patients.
Materials and Methods: In patients admitted in our children hospital in years 2004-5, having clinical findings compatible with rickets, serum levels of ionized calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, 25OHD3, measured and wrist X-Ray performed. All patients with vitamin D deficient rickets compared in two groups, seizure and non-seizure group.
Results: During two years, 69 infants and children with vitamin D deficient rickets diagnosed. The mean age was 6.2 ± 4.6 months, and 71% were male. 92.8% were under one year old, and 76.8% admitted in winter and spring. In under one year old patients, 70.3% were exclusively breast fed, and 54.7% did not received supplemental vitamin D absolutely. Patients with hypocalcemic seizure (53.6% of all) were younger (P=0.003) and had lower serum calcium level (P<0.001), in comparison with non-seizure group.
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficient rickets still is one of our health and medical problems. Younger patients with this disorder are more prone to hypocalcemia and seizure.