Hot Seat #255: URI or Are you Alright?
Posted on: March 23, 2026, by : Brittany Fitzpatrick
Case by Brittany Fitzpatrick, CNH PEM Fellow
21 month old male presents with fever and URI symptoms x3 days. In addition to congestion and fussiness, parents have also noticed intermittent wheezing while sleeping. Two episodes of emesis 2 days ago. Parents have noticed a mild decrease in wet diapers but tolerating PO. No diarrhea, however he had a looser stool last night, and has typically been constipated over the past few months with straining and hard stools. Of note, patient has sick contact who is sibling with URI symptoms.
Past medical history: No significant medica history.
Family History: +Family history of possible osteogenesis imperfecta with no confirmed diagnosis
Developmental Hx: Caregiver reports he does not talk much in comparison to sibling at this age and is not walking.
Physical Exam
VS: Temp 38.3 HR 144 RR 32 BP 82/57 SpO2 99% on room air
Physical Exam:
General: Alert, interactive, intermittently breast feeding
Skin: Warm, dry, skin overall loose
Eyes: PERRL, mildly blue sclera
Ears, Nose, Throat: Oral mucosa moist, no pharyngeal erythema. Right T.M. with mild erythema and effusion. Left TM normal.
CV: Mild tachycardia, normal rhythm
Resp: Lungs clear to auscultation, respirations non-labored
GI: Soft, non-tender, non-distended
MSK: Moves all extremities, when placed on feet to bear weight, cries. Notable bony prominence at metaphysis at ankles and wrists. Unable to ascertain point tenderness
Looking through his chart, he received 6 month vaccines and was last seen by his PCP at age 9 months for a sick visit.
Labs:
COVID +
Calcium: critically low at 6.2, AST 61, ALT 13, Alk phos 2,347, Vit D <4.0
EKG: NSR, borderline long QTc, Prominent U waves
Imaging results:
Bilateral tibia/fibula: XR findings consistent with rickets and associated non-displaced distal tibia insufficiency fracture
Bilateral forearms: XR findings consistent with rickets
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