Abstract
Background. Low serum concentrations of vitamin D have been associated with rickets and also with other disorders in observational studies. Since vitamin D serum concentrations in German children and adolescents are frequently below reference values, it is debated whether vitamin D should be broadly supplemented also after infancy. Methods. The effects of vitamin D supple-mentation in children >2 years of age were analyzed based on a literature review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results. Vitamin D supplementation has a potential benefit for reduction of the risk of influenza infections. The RCTs with vitamin D supplementation demonstrated less exacerbation of bronchial asthma in vitamin D supplemented children but showed no impact on the severity of bronchial asthma. The RCTs demonstrated no clinical effect of vitamin D supplementation on attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, arterial hypertension, heart insufficiency, incidence of diabetes mellitus type 2, and relapses of multiple sclerosis;however, the number of new lesions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was reduced. For other endpoints RCTs are lacking. Conclusion. Based on the available studies, a general vitamin D supplementation cannot be recommended in children aged >2 years even with subnormal vitamin D concentrations but without other risk factors or chronic diseases associated with disorders of calcium or vitamin D resorption.
Item Type: | Journal article |
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Faculties: | Medicine |
Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health |
ISSN: | 0026-9298 |
Language: | German |
Item ID: | 65044 |
Date Deposited: | 19. Jul 2019, 12:16 |
Last Modified: | 04. Nov 2020, 13:45 |