ORAL VERSUS INTRAMUSCULAR VITAMIN D THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Abstract

Objective:

To compare oral vitamin D therapy and intramuscular vitamin D therapy in terms of mean increase in vitamin D levels in children with vitamin D deficiency.

Methods:

This trial included 200 patients with vitamin D deficiency from the Children's Hospital Lahore from June 2024 to January 2025. The patients were randomized into two groups: Group A received oral vitamin D, and Group B received intramuscular vitamin D. Baseline tests included serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Patients were followed at three, six, and twelve weeks, with the same tests repeated at these intervals.

Results:

The mean age of patients was 5.93±2.11 years.  There were 114 (57.0%) male and 86 (43.0%) female patients. The mean increase in vitamin D levels at three weeks was 3.25±1.18 ng/mL in group A and 1.60±0.27 ng/mL in group B, with a p-value of <0.001. At six weeks, the increases were 10.97±2.08 ng/mL in group A and 7.93±1.38 ng/mL in group B, both with p-values <0.001. At twelve weeks, the increases were 16.09±2.99 ng/mL in group A and 11.52±3.58 ng/mL in group B, with a p-value of <0.001.

Conclusion:

Oral vitamin D is superior to intramuscular therapy in treating vitamin D deficiency in children.