Efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation in hospitalized COVID-19 pediatric patients: A randomized controlled trial

Jessie Zurita-Cruz; Jeffry Fonseca-Tenorio; Miguel Villasís-Keever; Mardia López-Alarcón; Israel Parra-Ortega; Briceida López-Martínez; Guadalupe Miranda-Novales

doi:10.3389/fped.2022.943529

Efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation in hospitalized COVID-19 pediatric patients: A randomized controlled trial

Front Pediatr. 2022 Jul 25:10:943529. doi: 10.3389/fped.2022.943529. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Jessie Zurita-Cruz¹, Jeffry Fonseca-Tenorio², Miguel Villasís-Keever³, Mardia López-Alarcón⁴, Israel Parra-Ortega⁵, Briceida López-Martínez⁶, Guadalupe Miranda-Novales³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Pediatric Hospital Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico.
² Infectious Diseases Department, Pediatric Hospital National Medical Center, XXI Century, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico.
³ Analysis and Synthesis of the Evidence Research Unit, National Medical Center XXI Century, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico.
⁴ Medical Nutrition Research Unit, Pediatric Hospital National Medical Center, XXI Century, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico.
⁵ Clinical Laboratory Department, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico.
⁶ Auxiliary Diagnostic Services, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Ministry of Health, Mexico City, Mexico.

Abstract

Background: Some studies suggested that adequate levels of vitamin D (VD) decrease the risk of severe COVID-19. Information about the effectiveness of VD supplementation in children is scarce.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of VD supplementation compared to the standard of care in hospitalized children with COVID-19.

Patients and methods: An open-label randomized controlled single-blind clinical trial was carried out. We included patients from 1 month to 17 years, with moderate COVID-19, who required hospitalization and supplemental oxygen. They were randomized into two groups: the VD group, which received doses of 1,000 (children < 1 year) or 2,000 IU/day (from 1 to 17 years) and the group without VD (control). The outcome variables were the progression of oxygen requirement, the development of complications, and death.

Statistical analysis: For comparison between groups, we used the chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test. Absolute risk reduction (ARR) and the number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated. p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: From 24 March 2020 to 31 March 2021, 87 patients were eligible to participate in the trial; 45 patients were randomized: 20 to the VD group and 25 to the control group. There was no difference in general characteristics at baseline, including serum VD levels (median 13.8 ng/ml in the VD group and 11.4 ng/ml in the control group).

Outcomes: 2/20 (10%) in the VD group vs. 9/25 (36%) in the control group progressed to a superior ventilation modality (p = 0.10); one patient in the VD group died (5%) compared to 6 (24%) patients in the control group (p = 0.23). ARR was 26% (95% CI 8.8 to 60.2%) and NNT was 3 (2 to 11) for progression and ARR was 19% (95% CI -3.9 to 42.8%) and NNT was 6 (2 to 26) for death. None of the patients receiving VD had adverse effects. The trial was stopped for ethical reasons; since after receiving the results of the basal VD values, none of the patients had normal levels.

Conclusion: In this trial, VD supplementation in pediatric patients seems to decrease the risk of COVID-19 progression and death. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Clinical trial registration: This protocol was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with the registration number NCT04502667.

Keywords: COVID-19; Latin America; Pediatrics; SARS-CoV-2; children; mortality; vitamin D.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04502667