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Observational Study
. 2022 May 7;22(1):257.
doi: 10.1186/s12887-022-03297-z.

Adjunctive vitamin D therapy in various diseases in children: a scenario according to standard guideline

Hafsa Arshad  1 , Faiz Ullah Khan  2 , Naveed Ahmed  3 , Naveed Anwer  3 , Ali Hassan Gillani  2 , Asim Ur Rehman  4
Affiliations
Observational Study

Adjunctive vitamin D therapy in various diseases in children: a scenario according to standard guideline

Hafsa Arshad et al. BMC Pediatr. .

Abstract

Background: Adherence to standard guidelines is imperative when question comes to disease management. The present study aimed to evaluate the administration of adjunctive vitamin D therapy in various diseases, its adherence to standard guideline and the effect of socioeconomic status on the consumption of vitamin D in children.

Methods: Cross sectional observational study was conducted among 400 ambulatory pediatric patients at Children's Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad, from November 2017 to June 2018. Data were collected by a self-designed structured questionnaire from the patient's medical chart. Adjunctive vitamin D therapy adherence was evaluated by the U. S endocrinology clinical practice guideline of vitamin D deficiency. The association between socioeconomic status and consumption of vitamin D was examined by chi-square. Alpha value (p ≤ 0.005) was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 25.

Results: In 400 patients, 9 diseases and 21 comorbid conditions were identified, in which adjunctive vitamin D therapy was prescribed. Adherence to vitamin D testing in high-risk vitamin D deficiency diseases as; seizures (3.8%), bone deformities (13.3%), steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (0.0%), cerebral palsy (5.9%) and meningitis (14.3%). Adherence to prescribed vitamin D dose was in (41.3%) patients in various diseases. Significant association (p < 0.05) was found between socioeconomic status and consumption of vitamin D in children and mothers.

Conclusions: It was found that adjunctive vitamin D was being prescribed in various diseases and comorbidities. Overall poor adherence to the standard guideline was observed in disease management in children. Low socioeconomic status affects vitamin D supplementation consumption in children.

Keywords: Adjunctive vitamin D therapy; Comorbidities; Guideline adherence; Socioeconomic effect; Vitamin D supplementation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors declare no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of inclusion and exclusion of participants
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Data evaluation steps to access adjunctive vitamin D therapy (AVDT) adherence to guideline
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Investigations to test vitamin D deficiency
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Vitamin D level status
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Maternal history about vitamin D supplementation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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