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Case Reports
. 2020 Sep;24(9):882-884.
doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23586.

Hypocalcemic Seizure Due to Vitamin D Deficiency

Robin G Manappallil  1 , Raghuram Krishnan  2 , Pradeep P Veetil  3 , Harilal Nambiar  4 , Ummer Karadan  5 , Revathy Anil  1 , Blessy Josephine  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Hypocalcemic Seizure Due to Vitamin D Deficiency

Robin G Manappallil et al. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Aim: To emphasize the importance of vitamin D supplementation.

Background: The incidence of vitamin D deficiency has been increasing worldwide, probably due to decreased exposure to sunlight and unbalanced diet. Severe hypocalcemia following vitamin D deficiency is rather uncommon, and this leading to seizures in adults is a rare scenario.

Case description: This is the case of a 70-year-old female, a known case of coronary artery disease, who presented with one episode of seizure. Computed tomography of her brain revealed diffuse age-related atrophic changes, and electroencephalogram showed diffuse cerebral dysfunction. She was found to have severe hypocalcemia with secondary hyperparathyroidism due to vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D bolus was given along with calcium correction, following which she improved.

Conclusion: There are a few reports of hypocalcemic seizures among children; however, the incidence is rare among adults. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation forms the mainstay of treatment.

Clinical significance: Hypocalcemic seizure is uncommon, especially among adults. Vitamin D deficiency resulting in hypocalcemic seizure, to the best of our knowledge, is an unreported scenario. This case highlights the importance of vitamin D supplementation in those with reduced sunlight exposure.

How to cite this article: Manappallil RG, Krishnan R, Veetil PP, Nambiar H, Karadan U, Anil R, et al. Hypocalcemic Seizure Due to Vitamin D Deficiency. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(9):882-884.

Keywords: Calcium; Hyperparathyroidism; Hypocalcemia; Seizure; Vitamin D.

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Conflict of interest statement

Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Electrocardiogram showing mild ST segment depression in anterolateral leads with T wave inversion in V1-4, T wave flattening in V5-6 with QT prolonged
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Course of calcium levels
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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