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Vitamin D administration to tuberculous children and its value
M M Morcos1, A A Gabr, S Samuel
1National Research Centre, Dokki Cairo, Egypt.
Bollettino Chimico Farmaceutico
|August 5, 1998
Summary
Vitamin D supplementation alongside standard tuberculosis treatment significantly improved clinical outcomes and radiological findings in children. This suggests vitamin D is valuable for treating pediatric tuberculosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in pediatric populations.
- Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with tuberculosis and may impact treatment outcomes.
- The role of vitamin D supplementation in pediatric TB management requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D administration as an adjunct therapy in children diagnosed with tuberculosis.
- To assess the impact of vitamin D on clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters in pediatric TB patients.
Main Methods:
- A randomized study involving 24 newly diagnosed tuberculous children (aged 1.5-13 years).
- Patients were divided into two groups: Group A received standard anti-tuberculosis drugs (Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Streptomycin), while Group B received the same regimen plus vitamin D.
- Outcomes were assessed after eight weeks of therapy, evaluating clinical symptoms, laboratory markers (calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase), and radiological findings.
Main Results:
- Children with tuberculosis exhibited significantly lower vitamin D levels compared to healthy controls.
- While vitamin D levels increased in both groups post-treatment, the rise was not statistically significant between groups.
- Group B patients (receiving vitamin D) demonstrated greater clinical improvement and better radiological and sonographic findings compared to Group A.
- Significant elevations in calcium and phosphorus were observed in Group A, with significant elevations in Group B, while alkaline phosphatase slightly decreased in both groups without significance.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D therapy, when added to standard anti-tuberculosis drugs, shows promise in enhancing treatment outcomes for pediatric tuberculosis.
- The findings strongly recommend the incorporation of vitamin D supplementation in the management of tuberculous children.
- Further research may elucidate the precise mechanisms and optimal dosing for vitamin D in pediatric TB treatment.