A New Hampshire mother has lost custody of her infant daughter after bringing her to the emergency room last June. The state says Baby Autumn is the victim of child abuse. Her mother says that tests have revealed that the baby girl has Rickets, caused by a severe vitamin D deficiency.
The baby's mother, Heather Dragotta, says:
I brought my new born daughter to the hospital, after she woke up screaming in pain when i moved her arm. Upon multiple x-rays we found out that she had a fracture in her right arm that had a transverse configuration, without any evidence of external injury (we later learned that a transverse configuration is a typical fracture morphology in a pathologically fragile bone). Not understanding how this could have happened to my daughter, my boyfriend and I had no explanation for the injury.
Child Protection immediately became involved, and further tests revealed multiple fractures on baby Autumn. Despite the serious injuries, doctors could not find any external signs of injury or abuse -- no bruises, abrasions, external swelling, rashes, "not a mark on her."
They assessed her vitamin D levels which were low-normal, but not mine; they did not question me about my nutrition during pregnancy or my delivery. They did not take into consideration that I called her pediatrician on two separate occasions with medical concerns; one being that she had severe clicking in her shoulders which we later learned is due to joint laxity, a symptom of Rickets or that she had broken blood vessels in her right eye.
Baby Autumn was removed from her mother's care and placed in Child Protection, who have retained guardianship ever since.
Dragotta says that doctors consulted by the state-appointed lawyer for Baby Autumn have since diagnosed the baby as having a metabolic bone disease which he diagnosed as "Infantile Rickets in the state of healing," and that her bones were in "a fragile state." Doctors diagnosed Dragotta with Osteomalacia, essentially the adult form of Rickets, and also possibly Elhers Danlos syndrome (a genetic deficiency that cross ties to the infant's metabolic bone disease).
In the meantime, Child Protection contacted the baby's father, who had not had contact with mother or child since Dragotta was two months pregnant, and awarded him custody of the baby. Dragotta continues to work to get her baby daughter back.
Dragotta has created a Facebook page, Rickets an Epidemic, to tell her story and warn other parents about vitamin D deficiencies.
Dragotta claims that she was breastfeeding her daughter and was already low in vitamin D herself during pregnancy, which led to the deficiency in Baby Autumn.
What does this mean for breastfeeding mothers, especially in northern states like Minnesota?
The La Leche League released a statement in 2008, saying in part:
For many years, La Leche League International has offered the research-based recommendation that exclusively breastfed babies received all the vitamin D necessary through mother’s milk. Health care professionals now have a better understanding of the function of vitamin D and the amounts required, and the newest research shows this is only true when mothers themselves have enough vitamin D. Statistics indicate that a large percentage of women do not have adequate amounts of vitamin D in their bodies.
La Leche League International acknowledges that breastfeeding mothers who have adequate amounts of vitamin D in their bodies can successfully provide enough vitamin D to their children through breastmilk. It is recommended that pregnant and nursing mothers obtain adequate vitamin D or supplement as necessary. Health care providers may recommend that women who are unsure of their vitamin D status undergo a simple blood test before choosing not to supplement.
Join Rickets an Epidemic to read more about Dragotta's story and get more information about Rickets and vitamin D.
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Comments
You should check the facts as this was clearly as stated by the court today. The mother is facing 6 counts of ABUSE. No sympathy here
I feel so sorry for that baby . This is just the new thing for child abusers. ---->Blame it on rickets.
You really should check your story before running with it. I see no mention in your story of where you vetted what doctors or what medical center supported Heathers claims.
I Know Heather. She is an amazing woman and these accusations are ridiculous. Before you judge someone get your facts straight. You anonymous commentators need to base your opinions on the facts not just at the mention of child abuse. Heather has my support. I wish her good luck with her beautiful little girl.
Heather would not have ever harmed her baby. She is an amazing person and I pray that everything works out for her and Autumn
i am going thru the same thing. I have heather's support 100% just like her we would never ever hurt our only daughter. We have been forced to be away from her for over 6 months, time that we will never get back.
ALSO most of the charges have already been dropped.
The same problem happened to me Three months ago. I went to Boston CHildren Hospital under the primary care request, because I showed to the primary care my son has a swollen knee. I went to this hospital later that day the doctor came he said my son has been abused, according to the Xray, because he has several fractures in state of healing. I said no away in the world my son been abused, the same day the state has custody. So at the court date the 72 hours hearing I heard the Dr said my son has been Vitamin D deficiency. I learned Vitamin d affect your bones. She stated the vitamin D defieciency didn't relate to my son physical problem. When I got home I search what vitamin D defieciency can cause. Before we go any further when my son turn six month I went to the emergency room at the Boston Children Hospital because my son has a swollen head and a flatten forhead, they never done anything, also my son always spit his formula, because of that I keep breastfeed him. Whenever I talk to the primary care about my son problem he doesn't drink enough formula, or he spit up a lot, the only feed back I got your son is growing well don't worry. Here what I found out about Rickets.
Rickets: What It Is and How It's Treated
What is rickets?
Rickets is a disorder that affects the bones, causing them to soften and break easily. It is most common in children.
What causes rickets?
A lack of vitamin D is the cause of most cases of rickets, but this disorder can also run in f
This is just sick. Hospitals and courts need to take much better care when making a ruling that can and is ruining this families life. Little Autumn deserves to be with her loving mother and not used a a weapon in court. We all pray that one day (soon) her mother will be cleared from many other peoples mistakes and given her beautiful baby girl back. How can Doctors, Lawyers, and Judges sleep at night knowing what they are causing here?
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