A Maternal vitamin D deficiency: A Culprit for Hypocalcaemia Induced Myocardial Failure in a Four-Month Old Infant Case Report From Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A rare but reversible cause of dilatedcardiomyopathy occurs in infants born to vitamin D deficientmothers due to hypocalcaemia.CASE REPORT: We report a case of dilated cardiomyopathy dueto hypocalcaemia secondary to maternal vitamin D deficiency in aninfant presented with seizure disorder and heart failure. This was afour-month old female infant with respiratory distress and acuteheart failure. The cause of her cardiac failure was dilatedcardiomyopathy. Concomitant community acquired pneumoniawas diagnosed on chest X ray. Despite treatment, the infant'sclinical condition worsened. The mother was found to be house-bound, dark skinned and veiled while going outside of home.Laboratory studies revealed hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia.The vitamin D levels of both the infant and the mother were foundto be low. The infant was treated for the deficiency state until hercardiac condition fully recovered.CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrated the directrelationship between maternal vitamin D deficiency and theinfant’s acute heart failure. It also highlighted the importance ofvitamin D supplementation during pregnancy in order to preventthe cardiac complication of maternal vitamin D deficiency in theinfants.