According to a new study published in the journalPediatric Infectious Disease,high-dose vitamin D (1200 IU) provides rapid relief from symptoms, rapid decrease in viral loads, and improves disease recovery in infants with seasonal influenza A. The study also suggests that high-dose vitamin D is probably safe for infants.
Researchers randomly assigned 232 infants (age, 3-12 months) to receive low-dose (400 IU/day; n=168) vitamin D3and high-dose (1200 IU/ day; n=164) vitamin D3for 4 months. They assessed serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels thrice in 4 months. Symptoms of influenza A including fever, cough, and wheezing were compared between both treatment groups.
Of 232 infants, 157 developed influenza-like symptoms. Of these, 121 were diagnosed with influenza A. Incidences of influenza were significantly higher in the low-dose vitamin D group vs the high-dose vitamin D group (46.4% vs 26.2%; P=.0001). Mean duration of fever (P=.0161), coughing (P=.0000), and wheezing (P=.0018) was shorter in the high-dose vitamin D group vs the low dose vitamin D group. In the high-dose vitamin D group, viral load was significantly lower and serum vitamin D level was significantly higher vs low-dose vitamin D group (P<.05 for both). No significant difference in adverse events was seen between the 2 groups.
“Although the mechanism underlying influenza seasonality has not been clearly established, vitamin D has received attention because influenza is more common during the winter season when sun exposure is low, resulting in low levels of vitamin D,’’ the authors wrote.
