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Faulty Vitamin D Drops Poison Child, Sparks Recall
16 Apr
Summary
- Child suffered acute kidney injury from accidental vitamin D overdose.
- Faulty drops were seven times more concentrated than prescribed.
- Supplements are regulated by the Food Standards Agency, not MHRA.
A seven-year-old boy named Roo experienced severe health complications, including acute kidney injury and significant weight loss, due to an accidental overdose of vitamin D. The prescribed vitamin D3 drops, intended to alleviate leg pain, were discovered to be seven times more concentrated than regulation allowed. This overdose stemmed from one of two faulty batches of supplements distributed throughout the UK.
Roo's symptoms included extreme thirst, vomiting, and lethargy, prompting hospitalization where doctors initially investigated the possibility of a brain tumor. His condition deteriorated rapidly, marked by dangerously high calcium levels. A chance conversation with an endocrinologist provided the crucial clue: a potentially faulty batch of vitamin D3.
The faulty batches, manufactured by TriOn Pharma, were recalled by the Food Standards Agency on January 9, 2025. However, communication breakdowns meant the alert did not reach all relevant parties promptly. In Scotland, Food Standards Scotland confirmed the alert did not reach the correct departments. Furthermore, the pharmacy that dispensed Roo's medication did not see the recall email until nearly three months after its issuance.
This incident highlights concerns regarding the regulation of vitamin supplements. Unlike medicines, higher-dose vitamin D is classified as a food supplement and regulated by the Food Standards Agency, not the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). An expert suggested the MHRA should consider regulating vitamin supplements to ensure greater public safety.
Another case involved Kayan Khan, who also experienced severe hypercalcemia and kidney issues after being prescribed the same brand of vitamin D supplements in February 2025. While the exact batch couldn't be confirmed, his toxic vitamin D levels were attributed to a raised intake. Kayan's kidney function has since improved but may require a transplant. His mother expressed feeling let down by the system, as she, too, was unaware of the recall.
