Vitamin D deficiency cardiomyopathy in Scotland: a retrospective review of the last decade

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence, demography and prognosis of vitamin D deficiency dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Scotland over the last decade.

Study design: A retrospective review of cases of vitamin D deficiency DCM presenting to a national paediatric cardiac centre between 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2018. The departmental database and electronic and paper case notes were used to identify patients and extract data.

Results: Six patients were identified (three male), three of whom were Caucasian. Median age at presentation was 206 days (range 2-268.) All six patients had high serum parathyroid hormone levels (median 45 pmol/L, range 27-120 pmol/L), a sensitive marker of total body calcium deprivation secondary to vitamin D deficiency. All patients demonstrated clinical and echocardiographic improvement following high dose vitamin D treatment. No patients required cardiac transplant, and only one patient required extracorporeal life support as a bridge to recovery. After an initial improvement, one child died at 5 months as a result of respiratory infection. Three patients lived within some of the most deprived areas in Scotland.

Conclusions: This case series demonstrates a previously unreported demographic in Scotland, as 50% of cases presented in Caucasian children. Although vitamin D deficiency DCM is relatively rare, it is wholly preventable. Our study confirms that vitamin D deficiency cardiomyopathy is reversible with prompt identification and supplementation. The current implementation of public health policy in the UK is failing to prevent children from developing the most severe manifestation of vitamin D deficiency.

Keywords: cardiomyopathy; echocardiography; hypocalcaemia; vitamin D deficiency.