Inappropriate supplementation of Vitamin D can result in toxicity: A crosssectional study of paediatrics population
Document Type
Article
Department
Paediatrics and Child Health; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate children with suspected or definite hypervitaminosis D with respect to prevalence, clinical manifestations and pharmacological aspects.
Methods: The retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised medical records from January 1 to December 31, 2018, of children aged <18 years with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels >50ng/ml. Clinical and pharmacological data was retrieved. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.
Results: Of the 118,149 subjects visiting the clinical laboratory during the study period, children tested for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were 16,316(13.8%) who had a median age of 9.78 years (interquartile range: 10.2 years). Children who registered for consultation were 2720(16.6%), and, out of them, 602(22%) had serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D >50ng/ml. The median 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and age were 70.1ng/ml (interquartile range: 100ng/ml) and 3.1 years (interquartile range: 17.93 years), respectively, and 345(57.3%) of them were boys. Children supplemented with vitamin D were 197(33.1%) and 193(97.9%) of them were prescribed by physicians. Mega-doses were taken by 68(34.17%), while the remaining had used various combinations in syrup or tablet forms. Commonly prescribed mega-doses were 600,000IU 30((44.1%) and 200,000IU 31(45.5%) injections of vitamin D. The primary indications were pains/aches in 51(25.8%) cases, developmental delay 50(25.3%), and vitamin D deficiency 49(24.8%). The main symptoms of hypervitaminosis D or toxicity were abdominal pain 27(13.7%) and constipation 31(15.7%).
Conclusions: Children should be given vitamin D supplements with caution as prolonged supplementation and repeated mega-doses can result in toxicity which may cause serious consequences.
Publication (Name of Journal)
The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
Recommended Citation
Shamim, N.,
Majid, H.,
Khemani, S.,
Salim, M.,
Muneer, S.,
Habib, A.
(2023). Inappropriate supplementation of Vitamin D can result in toxicity: A crosssectional study of paediatrics population. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 73(3), 500-504.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_women_childhealth_paediatr/1348