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Dilated cardiomyopathy due to hypocalcaemic rickets: is it always a reversible condition?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2012

Marianna Fabi ,
Valentina Gesuete ,
Roberta Petrucci  and
Luca Ragni
Marianna Fabi
Affiliation:
Pediatric Cardiology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Valentina Gesuete*
Affiliation:
Pediatric Cardiology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Roberta Petrucci
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Luca Ragni
Affiliation:
Pediatric Cardiology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
*
Correspondence to: Dr V. Gesuete, M.D., Pediatric Cardiology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. Tel: +39 051 6363435; Fax: +39 051 6363116; E-mail: valegesuete@hotmail.it
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Abstract

Nutritional rickets is still occasionally found in high-income countries, especially in populations at risk, and induced hypocalcaemia is a rare but possible cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. Although rare, physicians need to consider nutritional rickets in the differential diagnosis of hypocalcaemia cardiac failure, especially in high-risk populations such as immigrants. Despite being a reversible condition, the prognosis depends on the severity and time of diagnosis. We report two cases of exclusively breastfed infants with congestive cardiac failure due to hypokinetic dilated cardiomyopathy who had completely different outcomes. This report supports the need for prevention of this deficiency and underlies the role of vitamin D supplementation.

Keywords

Hypocalcaemiadilated cardiomyopathyricketsvitamin Dinfants

Information

Type
Brief Reports
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 23 , Issue 5 , October 2013 , pp. 769 - 772
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012 

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