We report the case of a white male infant, 2 months-old, with tremor and hypertonia since 15th day of life transferred to our service and diagnosed as seizures. Investigation showed hypocalcaemia (4 mg/dl) and hypomagnesemia (1.6 mg/dL) and the infant's serum metabolic disturb was corrected by intravenous calcium gluconate and magnesium sulphate, but attempted to "wean" him from intravenous treatment led to a relapse of hypocalcemia. At this time hypoparathyroidism was suspected and the additional investigation confirmed this suspect ion. The neurologic examination revealed an irritable patient with marked extensor hypertonia and opisthotonos. Cranial CT and MRI scans were normal, but the EEG exam showed severe abnormalities. The infant was given the oral calcium gluconate, magnesium chloride and colecalciferol daily to maintain a normal calcium concentration, but the control was very difficult. The patient had an extend hospitalization of 6 months and death was due to repetitive infection. We discuss the clinical findings, imaging, EEG exam, differential diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.
hypocalcemia; epilepsy; hypoparathyroidism
