Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab.  2020 Jun;25(2):112-117. 10.6065/apem.1938142.071.

Efficacy and safety of parenteral vitamin D therapy in infants and children with vitamin D deficiency caused by intestinal malabsorption

• Yu SB
• Lee Y
• Oh A
• Yoo HW
• Choi JH

• KMID: 2503362
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6065/apem.1938142.071

Abstract

Purpose
Oral supplementation of vitamin D can be inefficient in patients with vitamin D deficiency caused by intestinal malabsorption. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of parenteral vitamin D supplementation in infants and children with vitamin D deficiency caused by intestinal malabsorption.
Methods
This study included 11 patients with vitamin D deficiency who were unresponsive to oral vitamin D or were unable to try oral vitamin D therapy due to underlying conditions. All patients were treated with weekly intramuscular injection of cholecalciferol 50,000 IU. Radiological findings and biochemical parameters including serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃), and parathyroid hormone levels were reviewed retrospectively.
Results
Underlying diseases included small bowel atresia (n=3), necrotizing enterocolitis (n=3), congenital megacolon (n=2), chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction (n=1), congenital mesenteric band (n=1), and Crohn disease (n=1). Three patients exhibited rickets on X-ray findings. The mean duration of treatment was 4.8±2.9 weeks. The alkaline phosphatase levels were decreased from 710±650 IU/L to 442±284 IU/L (P=0.143). The 25(OH)D₃ level was increased from 6.0±3.4 ng/mL to 50.4±28.8 ng/mL (P=0.008) after 3 months. Two patients with rickets showed improved radiologic findings after parenteral treatment.
Conclusion
Parenteral vitamin D therapy was effective and safe in patients with vitamin D deficiency caused by intestinal malabsorption. Long-term follow-up is needed to establish the efficacy of parenteral vitamin D therapy in a large number of patients.

Keyword

Malabsorption; Rickets; Vitamin D; Vitamin D deficiency

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Laboratory data obtained from patients being treated with parenteral vitamin D3. 25(OH)D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.

Reference

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