Congenital hyperparathyroidism and rickets: secondary to maternal hypoparathyroidism and vitamin D deficiency.

A case of severe secondary hyperparathyroidism and congenital rickets in a preterm infant is described. Extensive demineralization of the bones and deformation of the rib cage caused fatal respiratory distress. The severity of the case is attributed to the combination of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and nutritional vitamin D deficiency in the mother.