Effects of a single dose of vitamin D in septic children: a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Pediatric critical care medicine
• Nutritional science
• Immunology

Background:

• Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is common in children with sepsis.
• Sepsis is a life-threatening condition associated with organ dysfunction.
• Vitamin D plays a role in immune function and cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a single high dose of vitamin D on 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels.
• To assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes in pediatric sepsis.
• To determine if vitamin D influences septic shock incidence, ventilation duration, or mortality.

Main Methods:

• Randomized, controlled trial involving children with VDD and sepsis.
• Intervention group received a single 150,000 IU dose of cholecalciferol; control group received placebo.
• Measured 25OHD, angiotensin-II, IL-6, TNF-α, cv-SOFA score, septic shock incidence, ventilation duration, and mortality.

Main Results:

• Vitamin D supplementation increased 25OHD levels and reduced Ang-II, IL-6, and TNF-α.
• The vitamin D group showed a lower cardiovascular Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (cv-SOFA) score (1.76 vs. 2.3) and reduced septic shock incidence (7% vs. 20%).
• No significant differences were observed in ventilation duration or mortality rates between groups.

Conclusions:

• A single dose of vitamin D is effective in correcting 25OHD levels in children with VDD and sepsis.
• Vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk of septic shock in this pediatric population.
• Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and optimal dosing strategies.