Tetany (Noun)
Meaning
Clinical neurological syndrome characterized by muscular twitching and cramps and (when severe) seizures; associated with calcium deficiency (hypoparathyroidism) or vitamin D deficiency or alkalosis.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- Hypocalcemia in patients with hypoparathyroidism can cause tetany characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and cramps.
- Prolonged and severe vitamin D deficiency may lead to tetany, resulting in convulsions and neuromuscular irritability.
- Clinical evaluation revealed tetany as one of the prominent features in patients suffering from untreated hypocalcemia.
- One of the presenting features of alkalosis is tetany which often precedes the development of severe and life-threatening complications.
- Children with nutritional rickets resulting from severe vitamin D deficiency are prone to tetany due to abnormal mineral metabolism and subsequent neuromuscular irritability.