Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world. Children, particularly infants living in developing countries are highly vulnerable to infectious diseases. Therefore, understanding the relationship between iron deficiency and infection is of great importance. Iron deficiency is associated with impairment of innate (natural) immunity and cell mediated immunity, thereby contributing to increased risk of infections. The iron acquisition by the microbes and their virulence is determined by various host and microbial mechanisms. Altering these mechanisms might provide modes of future therapy for infectious diseases.

A 2-month-old child was referred as a case of dilated cardiomyopathy with cardiogenic shock. On evaluation, hypocalcemia secondary to severe vitamin D deficiency was found. There were no clinical or radiological features of rickets. The child had developed multiorgan failure due to cardiogenic shock at the time of admission and could not be saved despite adequate ventilatory and pharmacologic support. Hypocalcemia should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in infants.

A 4-year-old boy presented with rickets, alopecia and macrocephaly along with elevated serum levels of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ which was diagnostic of vitamin D-dependent rickets type II. The rickets responded to conventional doses of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol together with oral calcium supplement and there was also improvement in the alopecia. In patients with vitamin D-dependent rickets type II with alopecia, although rickets improves with treatment, improvement in alopecia has not been reported before.

Hepatitis A is the most common cause of viral hepatitis in children. Its association with pleural effusion has rarely been reported. The present communication describes three cases of hepatitis A associated with pleural effusion. All three had complete clinical, biochemical and radiological recovery. In view of spontaneous resolution, diagnostic or therapeutic pleural tap is not warranted.