Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
Enumeration of Major Peripheral Blood Leukocyte Populations for Multicenter Clinical Trials Using a Whole Blood Phenotyping Assay
Published on: September 16, 2012
Preventive Effects of Vitamin D on Seasonal Influenza A in Infants: A Multicenter, Randomized, Open, Controlled
Jian Zhou1, Juan Du1, Leting Huang2
1From the Department of Pediatrics, The First People's Hospital of Yongkang, Yongkang, China.
Insights
High-dose vitamin D supplementation effectively prevents influenza A in infants, reducing symptom duration and viral load. This high-dose vitamin D (1200 IU) regimen is likely safe for pediatric use.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Influenza A poses a significant health risk to infants.
- Vitamin D's role in immune function and potential prophylactic benefits require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of vitamin D for preventing influenza A in infants.
- To compare the effects of low-dose versus high-dose vitamin D on influenza A infection outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled trial involving 400 infants.
- Infants received either low-dose or high-dose vitamin D.
- Clinical symptoms, viral loads, and safety parameters were monitored over 4 months.
Main Results:
- High-dose vitamin D significantly reduced influenza A incidence compared to low-dose vitamin D (P = 0.0001).
- Symptom duration (fever, cough, wheezing) and viral loads were significantly lower in the high-dose group.
- Adverse event rates were low and comparable between groups.
Conclusions:
- High-dose vitamin D (1200 IU) is effective in preventing seasonal influenza A in infants.
- It promotes rapid symptom relief, reduces viral load, and aids recovery.
- High-dose vitamin D appears safe for infants.
Objectives:
This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of vitamin D for preventing influenza A in 400 infants in a multicenter, randomized, open, controlled clinical trial.
Methods:
The infants were randomized into low-dose and high-dose vitamin D groups, and serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were detected thrice in 4 months. Infants infected with influenza A were monitored for symptoms including fever, cough and wheezing. Pathogen levels and safety of vitamin D treatment were also evaluated.
Results:
Of 121 cases in total, 78 and 43 cases of influenza A infection occurred in the low-dose and high-dose vitamin D groups, respectively. There was a significant difference between the groups (χ = 14.6324, P = 0.0001). Among the cases of influenza infection, the median durations for fever, cough and wheezing were shorter in the high-dose vitamin D group than in the low-dose vitamin D group. The viral loads showed a downward trend in both groups and were significantly different between the groups at the second and third detections. Additionally, the incidences of adverse events and severe adverse events were very low and not significantly different between the 2 groups.
Conclusion:
High-dose vitamin D (1200 IU) is suitable for the prevention of seasonal influenza as evidenced by rapid relief from symptoms, rapid decrease in viral loads and disease recovery. In addition, high-dose vitamin D is probably safe for infants.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Clinical Trials
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
01:11Clinical Trials: Overview
01:12Statistical Software for Data Analysis and Clinical Trials
01:15Seasoning of Wood
Achieving equilibrium moisture content is the goal of seasoning; this is the point where the wood's moisture content stabilizes to align with the moisture levels of the surrounding environment. Proper...
01:30Vitamins
02:45Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses