Asymptomatic Early-Onset Neonatal Hypocalcemia, Secondary to Maternal Hypovitaminosis D
Shreyashi Jain, Trashi Agarwal, Aditi Rawat, Chithambaram Nagalingam Saroja
Abstract
Neonatal hypocalcemia is a common metabolic abnormality observed in the early neonatal period, especially among preterm neonates or those with perinatal complications. It can be both asymptomatic and symptomatic. Early-onset hypocalcemia presents within the first 72 to 96 hours of life, and is often found to be linked with prematurity and birth asphyxia in neonates, and preeclampsia, diabetes, hyperparathyroidism, or anticonvulsant treatment in mothers. However, vitamin D deficiency in the mother remains a lesser common cause.
We present a case of a term neonate with respiratory distress, who was found to have early-onset hypocalcemia, which, when investigated further, was found to be attributed to maternal vitamin D deficiency.
This case emphasizes the importance of maternal vitamin D levels in neonatal calcium regulation, and the need for vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and lactation.
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