High-Dose Vitamin D3 Not Preventive Against Viral Upper Respiratory Infection During Winter

Young children given 2000 IU vitamin D₃ daily did not have fewer infections or longer time to first infection compared with those given 400 IU daily.

Low levels of serum vitamin D are suggested to be associated with increased risk for viral upper respiratory infection (vURI). In a five-year trial, researchers assessed wintertime vURI incidence in approximately 700 young children aged 1 to 5 years (mean age, 2.7 years) randomized to receive high-dose vitamin D₃ (2000 IU/d) or standard-dose vitamin D₃ (2000 IU/d) from enrollment (September–November) to follow-up (March–April). Participants were recruited from eight pediatric and family medicine practices in Toronto, Canada. Outcomes were assessed through obtaining parent symptom reports and parent-conducted viral nasal swabs when children were symptomatic. Results were as follows:

At follow-up, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were signific…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

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Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

High-Dose Vitamin D₃ Not Preventive Against Viral Upper Respiratory Infection During Winter

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Reviewing Author