Despite the rare occurrence of vitamin D toxicity in infants, increased use of vitamin D formulations as well as incorrect supplement concentration by manufacturing pharmaceutical companies, has contributed to an increased incidence of vitamin D toxicity. Over-the-counter vitamin D preparation constitutes variable concentrations that can render life-threatening consequences in children.
Case presentation: Here, we present a case of a 2.5-month-old infant presenting with failure to thrive. The clinical presentations were nasal blockage, noisy breathing, poor feeding, lethargy, dehydration, and fever for 3 days with decreased appetite. Her urine culture report showed a urinary tract infection. The biochemical evaluation demonstrated raised total serum calcium (6.0 mmol/l) and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (>160 ng/ml) with suppressed parathyroid hormone concentration (3.7 pg/ml), which was the major concern to the clinicians. On ultrasonographical examination, nephrocalcinosis was observed. Further evaluation unveiled that the vitamin D supplement administered to the infant constituted a deucedly high dose of 42 000 IU instead of the recommended dose of 0.5 ml of 800 IU.
Clinical discussion: The patient developed vitamin D toxicity after consuming a mega dose of vitamin D supplements due to a manufacturer error.
Conclusions: Hypervitaminosis D has severe life-threatening consequences like failure to thrive in otherwise healthy-born infants. Regular monitoring of vitamin D supplements administered in infants by medicinal practitioners and strict supervision of all stages of the production process by pharmaceutical companies is crucial to prevent complications from supplement overdose.
Keywords: case report; hypercalcemia; hypervitaminosis D; infant; nephrocalcinosis; vitamin D toxicity.
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