Hypervitaminosis d

an acute or chronic excess of vitamin D, also termed vitamin D poisoning. Among the musculoskeletal abnormalities occurring in this condition are osteoporosis, metastatic calcification of soft tissues, and osteosclerosis. Radiographs of infants and children may reveal metaphyseal bands of increased density reflecting heavy calcifications of the matrix of the proliferating cartilage, alternating with areas of increased lucency in the tubular bones. Cortical thickening may be observed at certain sites. In adults, the bones of the appendicular skeleton, the spine, the pelvis and even the skull reveal varying degrees of osteoporosis, and massive soft tissue calcification can become apparent.

Ingestion of excessive amounts of vitamin D by infants who have a slight sensitivity to this vitamin may lead to the disorder termed chronic idiopathic hypercalcaemia. Patients with this condition have a peculiar facies, anorexia, hypotonia and mental and physical retardation. On radiographs, a generalized increase in skeletal density is observed.

DR