Conclusions Vitamin D supplementation  was safe and it protected against acute respiratory tract infection overall .
Patients who were very vitamin D deficient and those not receiving bolus doses experienced the most benefit .
Objectives To assess the overall effect of vitamin D supplementation on  risk of acute respiratory tract infection  , and to identify factors modifying this effect .
Vitamin D₃ Supplementation in Batswana Children and Adults with HIV: A Pilot Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Objectives Since vitamin D insufficiency is common worldwide in people with HIV , we explored safety and efficacy of high dose cholecalciferol ( D₃ )  in Botswana , and evaluated potential modifiers of serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D change ( Δ25D ) . Design Prospect i ve r and omized double-blind 12-week pilot trial of subjects ages 5.0–50.9 years . Methods Sixty subjects r and omized within five age groups to either 4000 or 7000IU per day of D₃  and evaluated for vitamin D , parathyroid hormone , HIV , safety and growth status . Efficacy was defined as serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D ( 25D ) ≥32ng/mL , and safety as no simultaneous elevation of serum calcium and 25D . Also assessed were HIV plasma viral RNA viral load ( VL ) , CD4 % , anti-retroviral therapy ( ART ) regime , and height-adjusted ( HAZ ) , weight-adjusted ( WAZ ) and Body Mass Index ( BMI Z ) Z scores . Results Subjects were 50 % male , age ( mean±SD ) 19.5±11.8 years , CD4 % 31.8±10.4 , with baseline VL log₁₀ range of < 1.4 to 3.8 and VL detectable ( > 1.4 ) in 22 % . From baseline to 12 weeks , 25D increased from 36±9ng/ml to 56±18ng/ml ( p<0.0001 ) and 68 % and 90 % had 25D ≥32ng/ml , respectively ( p = 0.02 ) . Δ25D was similar by dose . No subjects had simultaneously increased serum calcium and 25D . WAZ and BMI Z improved by 12 weeks ( p<0.04 ) . HAZ and CD4 % increased and VL decreased in the 7000IU/d group ( p<0.04 ) . Younger ( 5–13y ) and older ( 30–50y ) subjects had greater Δ25D than those 14–29y ( 26±17 and 28±12 vs. 11±11ng/ml , respectively , p≤0.001 ) . Δ25D was higher with efavirenz or nevirapine compared to protease inhibitor based treatment ( 22±12 , 27±17 , vs. 13±10 , respectively , p≤0.03 ) . Conclusions In a pilot study in Botswana , 12-week high dose D₃ supplementation was safe and improved vitamin D , growth and HIV status ; age and ART regimen were significant effect modifiers . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov
Conclusions Vitamin D supplementation  was safe and it protected against acute respiratory tract infection overall .
Patients who were very vitamin D deficient and those not receiving bolus doses experienced the most benefit .
Objectives To assess the overall effect of vitamin D supplementation on  risk of acute respiratory tract infection  , and to identify factors modifying this effect .