Craniotabes in Newborns and the Role of Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency: A Case Series

Abstract

Craniotabes is characterized by the softening of skull bones in newborns. It can be associated with conditions like rickets, congenital syphilis, and osteogenesis imperfecta. In otherwise healthy newborns, craniotabes is often linked to in utero vitamin D deficiency. We report four cases of term infants diagnosed with craniotabes at birth. For all cases, laboratory tests confirmed vitamin D deficiency with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL, alongside maternal vitamin D deficiency. While three cases showed no complications, one newborn had a skull fracture and a neonatal stroke. All infants were supplemented with oral cholecalciferol, resulting in the normalization of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and resolution of the skull softening. These cases highlight the critical role of maternal vitamin D levels in fetal bone development and the potential risks of its deficiency. Although craniotabes associated with maternal vitamin D deficiency is a known condition among neonatologists, these cases help to increase awareness of this diagnosis. We highlight the need for thorough clinical examination, along with complementary diagnostic tests, to identify any related complications.