Neonatal hypocalcemic Seizures: About a 41-Day-Old Infant

Neonatal crises have several etiologies. Hypovitaminosis D and hypocalcemia are the most common cause of childhood seizures, but their frequency has been reduced due to vitamin D supplementation and infant formula. Most hypocalcemic crises have an underlying endocrinological origin rather than a deficit in intake. We describe the case of a 41-day-old infant admitted for neonatal seizures for hypocalcemia. Although symptoms and concentrations of calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels favored isolated congenital hyperparathyroidism after eliminating other differential diagnoses. The course of the disease was favorable with intravenous (IV) calcium gluconate 10%, then orally alfacalcidol and vitd2. The case is presented with a brief review of the pathophysiology, differential diagnosis and treatment of neonatal hypocalcemia.