High-dose vitamin D₃ to improve outcomes in the convalescent phase of complicated severe acute malnutrition in Pakistan: a double-blind randomised controlled trial (ViDiSAM).

ABSTRACT: We have previously shown that high-dose vitamin D₃ improved weight gain and neurodevelopmental indices in children receiving standard therapy for uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Here we present results of a randomised placebo-controlled trial in Lahore, Pakistan, to determine whether two oral doses of 200,000 international units (IU) vitamin D₃ (the first administered on or before the day of hospital discharge and the second administered 14 days later) would benefit children aged 6-59 months during the convalescent phase of complicated SAM. Eligible participants were individually randomised to intervention vs. control arms with a one-to-one allocation ratio and stratification by hospital of recruitment using computer-generated random sequences. Double-b

SUBMITTER: Saleem J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11910567 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature