Hypercalcemia in children receiving pharmacologic doses of vitamin D

Pediatrics. 2012 Apr;129(4):e1060-3. doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-1663. Epub 2012 Mar 12.

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, requiring vitamin D at doses greater than daily dietary intake. Several treatment regimens are found in the literature, with wide dosing ranges, inconsistent monitoring schedules, and lack of age-specific guidelines. We describe 3 children, ages 2 weeks to 2 and 9/12 years, who recently presented to our institution with hypercalcemia and hypervitaminosis D (25-hydroxyvitamin D levels >75 ng/mL), associated with treatment of documented or suspected vitamin D-deficient rickets. The doses of vitamin D used were within accepted guidelines and believed to be safe. The patients required between 6 weeks and 6 months to correct the elevated serum calcium, with time to resolution of hypercalcemia related to age and peak serum calcium, but not to peak 25-hydroxyvitamin D level. With recent widespread use of vitamin D in larger dosages in the general population, we provide evidence that care must be taken when using pharmacologic dosing in small children. With limited dosing guidelines available on a per weight basis, the administration of dosages to infants that are often used in older children and adults has toxic potential, requiring a cautious approach in dose selection and careful follow-up. Dosage recommendations may need to be reassessed, in particular, where follow-up and monitoring may be compromised.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcium / blood*
  • Child
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / blood
  • Hypercalcemia / chemically induced*
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D / adverse effects*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy*
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage
  • Vitamins / adverse effects

Substances

  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin D
  • Calcium