Vitamin D Overdose: A 6-Month-Old’s Near-Fatal Experience and Parents’ Health Alert

A 6-month-old girl experienced vomiting, excessive urination, and severe dehydration after her parents mistakenly gave her an adult bottle of vitamin D. Dr. Thai Thien Nam from the Department of Nephrology and Dialysis at the National Children’s Hospital diagnosed the child with kidney disease due to high levels of calcium and vitamin D in her blood.

The child received treatment at the hospital, which included stopping all calcium and vitamin D products, receiving fluids, and using diuretics to balance fluid levels. After 5 days of treatment, the child stopped vomiting, was no longer dehydrated, and showed improvement in total calcium levels. However, she continued to urinate frequently.

The child will continue to avoid calcium and vitamin D products for at least 6 months and undergo regular check-ups for possible complications. Vitamin D is essential for children’s bone development and immune system, but overdose can lead to serious poisoning. Parents should follow recommended dosage guidelines to prevent poisoning and complications.

It is important for parents to be cautious about giving children medication without a doctor’s prescription and carefully follow dosage instructions to protect their children’s health. Symptoms of vitamin D poisoning may not appear immediately but can include anorexia, weight loss, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and kidney failure. Doctors advise parents to use medication as prescribed by a healthcare professional to avoid self-medication that can have serious consequences on children’s health.

Overall, parents should prioritize their children’s safety by adhering to recommended dosages when giving them supplements or medications containing vitamins like Vitamin D. They should also seek medical advice before administering any medication or supplement to their children.