THE USE OF CHOLECALCIFEROL IN CHILDREN WITH RECURRENT RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Abstract

The analysis of the levels of metabolites of vitamin D (1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D) and the level of α-defensins 1-3 in serum was done to assess the efficacy of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) in children with recurrent diseases of the respiratory system. The study included 103 children, 89 of whom were from the group of frequent recurrent respiratory diseases. The frequency of acute respiratory infections more than 8 times a year became the criterion for inclusion of children in the group. The children with recurrent diseases were divided into two groups: the first group (control), where 38 children took vitamin D₃, and the second group (comparison), where 30 children did not get vitamin D₃. The third group included 35 almost healthy children. Vitamin D was used in children in the control group by 1 drop (500 IU) 1 time per day during the period of adaptation to school (3 months). At the end of the study it was revealed that there was statistically reliable (р=0.05) reduction in the concentration of 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the control group (126.8±12.6 pmol/l) and in the comparison group (110.5±3.7 pmol/l) as compared with healthy children (169.0±48.1 pmol/l). The concentration of α-defensins 1-3 in the serum of the control group (258.2±35.0 pg/ml) and the comparison group (222.2±37.3 pg/ml) was 2 and 1.7 times higher (p=0.05), respectively, than in healthy children (127.2±45.70 pg/ml). After 3 months the concentration of vitamin D metabolites in the control group was 1.5 times higher (239.8±10.5 pmol/l) compared with healthy children. The reduction of the incidence of respiratory diseases in children of the control group was accompanied by 2.4 times decrease of α-defensins 1-3 in the serum (105.9±35.0 pg/ml). Taking into account the data obtained, the possible cause of frequent respiratory diseases in children can be the lack of metabolites of vitamin D. The intake of cholecalciferol showed 1.8 times increase of 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D and 2.4 times reduction of α-defensins 1-3, 2 times reduction in the incidence of respiratory infections.