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Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2020; 18(01): 013-016
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1677539
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Vitamin D Deficiency: A Treatable but Often Forgotten Cause of Motor Delay in Infants

Shruti Kakkar
2   Department of Pediatrics, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
,
Suhalika Singla Sahni
2   Department of Pediatrics, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
,
Ruchika Kumar
2   Department of Pediatrics, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
,
Jatinder Singh Goraya
1   Division of Pediatric Neurology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

24 August 2018

14 December 2018

Publication Date:
15 January 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is an under-recognized cause of motor delays in infants and young children. Retrospective chart review identified 17 infants, 11 boys and 6 girls, aged between 7 and 27 months with motor delays attributable to vitamin D deficiency. Diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency was made on the basis of clinical, radiological, and biochemical findings. Presenting symptoms were delay in motor milestones in 14 and hypocalcemic seizures in 3. On physical examination, clinical signs of rickets were present in all. Neurological examination displayed hypotonia with retained tendon reflexes. Thirteen and ten infants, respectively, underwent radiographical and biochemical investigations, and all had abnormalities consistent with rickets. All infants were treated with 6,00,000 IU of vitamin D. Four infants were lost to follow-up. Rapid recovery of motor development was observed in remaining 13 infants. Vitamin D deficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis of motor delays in infants and young children.

Keywords

vitamin D deficiency - rickets - motor delay - infants - children

Authors' Contributions

SK was involved in data analysis and wrote initial draft of the manuscript. SK reviewed the literature and revised the manuscript. RK helped data analysis and revised the manuscript. JSG conceptualized the study, collected data, and revised the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.


 

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