High dose Vitamin D may help prevent influenza in infants

Dr.Zhou J et al. conducted a randomised, open, controlled trial and found that in infants High dose Vit D may provide protection against seasonal influenza.The results that Vitamin D may help prevent and/or ameliorate influenza in infants <1 year are important and significant because Infants <1 year face higher risks for influenza complications than other age groups and FDA-approved influenza vaccines are not approved for infants.The new study has been published in the Journal of Pediatric Infectious Disease.

The Researchers randomly assigned 400 healthy infants aged 3-12 months to receive 400 or 1200 IU oral vitamin D3 daily for 4 months (n=168 and 164, respectively), then followed up for 4 months.They assessed serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels thrice in 4 months. Infants who developed flu-like illness were checked for influenza virus; however, those testing positive were not given antivirals.Of 232 infants, 157 developed influenza-like symptoms. Of 157 infants, 121 were diagnosed with influenza A.

It was found that incidences of influenza were significantly higher in the low-dose vitamin D group vs the high-dose vitamin D group (46.4% vs 26.2%; P=.0001). Mean duration of fever (P=.0161), coughing (P=.0000), and wheezing (P=.0018) was shorter in the high-dose vitamin D group vs the low dose vitamin D group. In the high-dose vitamin D group, viral load was significantly lower and serum vitamin D level was significantly higher vs low-dose vitamin D group (P<.05 for both).

The researchers concluded that High-dose vitamin D (1200 IU) is suitable for the prevention of seasonal influenza as evidenced by rapid relief from symptoms, rapid decrease in viral loads, and disease recovery. In addition, high-dose vitamin D is probably safe for infants.Vitamin D upregulates antiviral peptides, could help prevent influenza in this population.“Although the mechanism underlying influenza seasonality has not been clearly established, vitamin D has received attention because influenza is more common during winter season when sun exposure is low, which results in low level of vitamin D,’’ the authors wrote.

For more details click on the link: DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000001890