Children with LRTI were found to have significantly lower mean vitamin D levels as compared to controls There was likewise a correlation between vitamin D levels and incidence and severity of LRTI .
Studies related to vitamin D deficiency and lower respiratory tract infections ( LRTI ) in children have inconsistent findings .
The objective of this systematic review was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children with LRTI , and to evaluate the correlation between vitamin D levels and the incidence and severity of LRTI .
Effects of vitamin D supplementation to children diagnosed with pneumonia in Kabul: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVES To determine whether ( i ) supplementation of oral 100,000 iu of vitamin D(3 ) ( cholecalciferol ) along with antibiotics will reduce the duration of illness in children with pneumonia ; ( ii ) supplementation will reduce the risk of repeat episodes . METHODS Double-blind individually r and omised placebo-controlled trial in an inner-city hospital in Kabul , of 453 children aged 1 - 36 months , diagnosed with non-severe or severe pneumonia at the outpatient clinic . Children with rickets , other concurrent severe diseases , very severe pneumonia or wheeze , were excluded . Children were given vitamin D(3 ) or placebo drops additional to routine pneumonia treatment . RESULTS Two hundred and twenty-four children received vitamin D(3 ; ) and 229 received placebo .  There was no significant difference in the mean number of days to recovery between the vitamin D(3 ) ( 4.74 days ; SD 2.22 ) and placebo arms ( 4.98 days ; SD 2.89 ; P = 0.17 ) . The risk of a repeat episode of pneumonia within 90 days of supplementation was lower in the intervention ( 92/204 ; 45 % ) than the placebo group [ 122/211 ; ( 58 % ; relative risk 0.78 ; 95 % CI 0.64 , 0.94 ; P = 0.01 ] . Children in the vitamin D(3 ) group survived longer without experiencing a repeat episode ( 72 days vs. 59 days ; HR 0.71 ; 95 % CI 0.53 - 0.95 ; P = 0.02 ) . CONCLUSION A single high-dose oral vitamin D(3 ) supplementation to young children along with antibiotic treatment for pneumonia could reduce the occurrence of repeat episodes of pneumonia
Children with LRTI were found to have significantly lower mean vitamin D levels as compared to controls There was likewise a correlation between vitamin D levels and incidence and severity of LRTI .
Studies related to vitamin D deficiency and lower respiratory tract infections ( LRTI ) in children have inconsistent findings .
The objective of this systematic review was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children with LRTI , and to evaluate the correlation between vitamin D levels and the incidence and severity of LRTI .