Which vitamin deficiencies cause different neurologic syndromes in children from those in adults?
Lack of absorption of vitamin D from the intestinal tract leads to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
In children with rickets, neurologic sequelae include head shaking, nystagmus, and increased irritability that may evolve into tetany with a sufficient fall in serum calcium concentrations.
Malabsorption of folate in infants leads to mental retardation, seizures, and athetotic movements, whereas in adults, polyneuropathy and depression are the primary complications.
Pyridoxine deficiency leads to seizures in infants but a sensory polyneuropathy in adults.
