Hypervitaminosis A is an unusual cause of infant hypercalcemia. The way it occurs can be very surprising, as one can notice from the following case report.
Case reports: A three-year-old boy, presenting important behavioral disorders, was hospitalized because of a deterioration of his general state of health associated with vomiting, cephalgias, fever and cutaneous abnormalities. A 168 mg/L hypercalcemia was found. The only etiology is a deviant consumption of vitamin A within the framework of an "autistic diet": 100000 UI/d during three months, and then 150000 UI/d the three following months. Intoxication was confirmed by the increased vitamin A plasmatic level, and vitamin A/RBP molar ratio and by the presence of plasmatic retinyl palmitate. An emergency treatment by rehydration, biphosphonates and furosemide led to effective calcemia normalization.
Conclusion: In the case of nonobvious causes of hypercalcemia, a thorough cross-examination must look for vitamin A intoxication. Our observation illustrates the danger of certain diets suggested for autistic children.