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The optimal dosage regimen of vitamin D supplementation for correcting deficiency in adolescents: a pilot randomized controlled trial

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 72, pages 534–540 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Vitamin D deficiency is common in adolescents but the optimal dosage regimen for correcting deficiency is unknown. To test the safety and efficacy of two different vitamin D dosage regimens to correct vitamin D deficiency in adolescents.

Subjects/Methods

In this 12-month, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial, 28 adolescents (serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) of 21 to 50 nmol/L) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: monthly (n = 9; vitamin D3 50,000 IU orally monthly plus three placebo tablets 3-monthly), 3-monthly (n = 9; 150,000 IU (3 × 50,000 IU tablets) 3-monthly and placebo orally monthly), or placebo (n = 10; placebo monthly and three placebo tablets 3-monthly). Serum 25(OH)D was measured at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results

Two participants withdrew after their baseline measurement from the 3-monthly group. At 12 months, one participant was deficient (≤50 nmol/L) in both the monthly and 3-monthly groups, whereas six out of ten in the placebo remained deficient (P = 0.055). At 12 months, the average serum 25(OH)D levels for the monthly, 3-monthly and placebo groups were 76.4, 64.7 and 49.7 nmol/L, respectively (P < 0.001 and P = 0.04 for differences between monthly and placebo groups and 3-monthly and placebo groups respectively, after adjustment for age, sex and seasonal variation). Adherence was 100% and adverse events were minor.

Conclusions

Both 50,000 IU monthly and 150,000 IU 3-monthly of vitamin D3 safely and effectively corrects vitamin D deficiency in adolescents. These data provide treatment options which can be used by health practitioners to tailor vitamin D dosage regiments according to patient preference and context.

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Acknowledgements

The researchers gratefully acknowledge the RACGP Foundation for their support of this project, which was funded jointly by the RACGP Foundation and Osteoporosis Australia.

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Author notes

  1. Feitong Wu and Cecilia Xiao contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    Feitong Wu, Cecilia Xiao, Dawn Aitken, Graeme Jones & Tania Winzenberg

  2. Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    Tania Winzenberg

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  1. Feitong Wu
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  2. Cecilia Xiao
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  3. Dawn Aitken
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  4. Graeme Jones
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Correspondence to Tania Winzenberg.

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Wu, F., Xiao, C., Aitken, D. et al. The optimal dosage regimen of vitamin D supplementation for correcting deficiency in adolescents: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 72, 534–540 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0098-x

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