Transient effectiveness of vitamin D2 therapy in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients

Green, Deanna M.; Leonard, Amanda R.; Paranjape, Shruti M.; Rosenstein, Beryl J.; Zeitlin, Pamela L.; Mogayzel, Peter J.

doi:10.1016/j.jcf.2010.01.002

« Previous Next »Journal of Cystic Fibrosis
Volume 9, Issue 2 , Pages 143-149, March 2010

Transient effectiveness of vitamin D₂ therapy in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients☆

Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA

Received 25 September 2009; received in revised form 4 January 2010; accepted 13 January 2010.

Abstract

Background

The effectiveness of current treatment recommendations for vitamin D insufficiency in children with CF is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the effectiveness of vitamin D₂ 50,000IU once daily for 28days for vitamin D insufficiency.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of pediatric CF patients from 2006–2008. Vitamin D₂ 50,000IU daily for 28days was given to patients with 25-OHD <30ng/mL and repeat 25-OHD levels were obtained after completion of therapy.

Results

One hundred forty-seven levels from 97 individuals were assessed. Success of treatment was 54% (n=80/147). Seventeen of 39 patients (43%) followed for an additional 6–18months were able to maintain levels of ≥30ng/mL.

Conclusions

Vitamin D₂ 50,000IU daily for 28days was effective in correcting vitamin D insufficiency in approximately 50% of subjects. However, almost half of successfully treated patients were unable to maintain normal 25-OHD levels >6months after completion of therapy, implying that this effect is transient.

Abbreviations: CF, cystic fibrosis, 25-OHD, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, IU, international units, PTH, parathyroid hormone, FEV₁, forced expiratory volume in 1s, BMI, body mass index, χ², chi-square, 25-OHD₂, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D₂, 25-OHD₃, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D₃, UV, ultraviolet.