A businesswoman from Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, faced a life-threatening ordeal after 28 days in a coma, with kidney and liver failure, caused by severe intoxication from vitamin infusion sessions. Perinalva Dias Paiva, 53, sought the procedure at a medical clinic to address fatigue and malaise, but the excess vitamin D in the infusion led to a rare condition called hypervitaminosis, which compromised vital organs. The case, which occurred in August 2025, gained attention after being reported by Fantástico, from TV Globo, on September 1. The businesswoman reported urine resembling Coca-Cola, nausea, and extreme weakness before collapsing at home, requiring emergency care from Samu. Experts warn that the indiscriminate use of infusion therapy, a growing practice in Brazil, can cause irreversible damage, including brain intoxication and kidney stone formation.
Perinalva’s ordeal began with symptoms that seemed common but quickly escalated. After receiving the infusion, she noticed alarming changes in her body, such as persistent fever and motor difficulties. Her daughter, Polliana Pitombo, reported that her mother began urinating blood, a sign that her body was in collapse. At the hospital, doctors confirmed that only her heart was still functioning, while other vital organs were severely compromised.
- Observed symptoms: Dark urine, bleeding, nausea, fever, and extreme weakness.
- Initial diagnosis: Intoxication from excess vitamin D, leading to hypervitaminosis.
- Treatment: Prolonged hospitalization with care from nephrologists and endocrinologists.
- Infusion therapy risks: Potential kidney stone formation and damage to organs like the liver and heart.
The severity of Perinalva’s case exposed the dangers of aesthetic and wellness procedures promising quick benefits but lacking scientific rigor. Infusion therapy, widely promoted as an “immunity boost,” has attracted growing interest in Brazil, yet it lacks clear regulation.
Risks of hypervitaminosis and excess vitamin D
Hypervitaminosis, the condition diagnosed in Perinalva, occurs when the body accumulates vitamins at toxic levels, particularly vitamin D, which is fat-soluble and stored in the body. According to Raymundo Paraná, a gastro-hepatologist from the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), excess vitamin D increases calcium absorption, which can deposit in vital organs like the kidneys, heart, and brain. In Perinalva’s case, the calcium overload caused nephrocalcinosis, a severe condition impairing kidney function.
Doctors explain that excessive vitamin D can lead to kidney stones and silent intoxications. In extreme cases, like Perinalva’s, the calcium buildup in tissues results in multiple organ failure. She required a multidisciplinary team, including nephrologists and hematologists, to stabilize her condition after nearly a month in a coma.
- Effects of excess calcium: Kidney stone formation and deposits in vital organs.
- Affected organs: Kidneys, liver, heart, and central nervous system.
- Severe consequences: Brain intoxication and risk of death.
The lack of regulation in infusion therapy exacerbates the issue, as clinics offer the procedure without assessing patients’ actual needs. The case has reignited debates about the safety of injectable therapies.
Popularity of infusion therapy in Brazil
Infusion therapy, also known as “immunity infusion” or “vitamin infusion,” has gained popularity in Brazil as a quick fix for fatigue, stress, and even aesthetics. Wellness and aesthetic clinics promote the procedure, which involves intravenous administration of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds, promising benefits like increased energy and immune system support. However, experts warn that the practice, when poorly indicated, can be dangerous.
The vitamin market in Brazil generates billions of reais annually, driven by the pursuit of quick health solutions. According to specialized portals like UOL, demand for infusion therapy has grown 30% in the last five years, particularly in large urban centers. Despite its popularity, the lack of robust scientific studies on its efficacy and safety concerns the medical community.
- Reasons for popularity: Promises of quick results and aggressive marketing.
- Target audience: Young adults and people seeking wellness or aesthetics.
- Lack of regulation: Clinics administer without proper medical prescriptions.
- Associated risks: Intoxication, infections, and adverse reactions.
The absence of strict oversight allows clinics to offer infusion therapy without reviewing medical histories, increasing the risk of complications. Perinalva’s case serves as a warning about the need for greater control over these practices.
Medical warnings about indiscriminate vitamin use
Doctors like Drauzio Varella emphasize that vitamins, when appropriately prescribed, should preferably be taken orally, except in cases of digestive issues that hinder absorption. Intravenous administration, as in infusion therapy, heightens the risk of toxicity, as doses delivered directly into the bloodstream can quickly exceed safe limits.
The Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM) warns that vitamin D, while essential for bone and immune health, is one of the most dangerous when in excess. High doses can cause cardiac arrhythmias, kidney failure, and neurological damage. In Perinalva’s case, the intoxication was so severe that it compromised multiple organs, leaving sequelae still under evaluation.
- Medical recommendations: Consume vitamins under professional guidance.
- Safe intake methods: Natural foods or oral supplements.
- Risks of intravenous administration: Toxicity and unpredictable reactions.
- Warning signs: Nausea, weakness, dark urine, and persistent fever.
Experts urge patients to seek thorough medical evaluations before starting any vitamin treatment, especially injectables. Self-medication and reliance on uncredentialed clinics’ promises can lead to severe consequences.
Case impact on public awareness
Perinalva Dias Paiva’s case sparked widespread attention after being featured on Fantástico, prompting discussions about the safety of aesthetic and wellness procedures. On social media, reports from others with similar experiences emerged, highlighting the need for greater awareness about infusion therapy risks. Outlets like G1 and CNN Brasil published articles reinforcing medical warnings, while the public demands stricter oversight of clinics offering these services.
The businesswoman, who survived the coma, now shares her story to warn others. “I thought I was doing something good for my health, but I nearly lost my life,” she told Fantástico. Her recovery is still monitored by specialists, and the damage to her kidneys and liver may require long-term care.
- Media impact: Increased coverage on infusion therapy dangers.
- Behavioral changes: Patients report greater caution with injectable treatments.
- Demand for regulation: Growing pressure for stricter clinic standards.
Perinalva’s story underscores the importance of informed choices and medical supervision in health procedures, especially in a context where the pursuit of quick solutions is growing exponentially.