Marchisio P, Consonni D, Baggi E, Zampiero A, Bianchini S, Terranova L, Tirelli S, Esposito S, Principi N.
BACKGROUND:
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a deficit in vitamin D (VD) is associated with an increased risk of recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) and whether VD supplementation is effective in reducing the number of AOM episodes in otitis-prone children.METHODS:
A total of 116 children with a history of recurrent AOM (≥3 episodes in preceding 6 months or ≥4 episodes in preceding 12 months) were prospectively and blindly randomized to receive oral VD 1000 IU/d or placebo for 4 months. Episodes of AOM were monitored for 6 months.RESULTS:
Fifty-eight children received placebo and 58 with similar characteristics were treated with VD. The number of children experiencing ≥1 AOM episode during the study period was significantly lower in the treatment group (26 versus 38; P = 0.03). There was a marked difference in the number of children who developed uncomplicated AOM (P < 0.001), but no difference in the number of children with ≥1 episode of spontaneous otorrhea. The likelihood of AOM was significantly reduced in the patients whose serum VD concentrations were ≥30 ng/mL.CONCLUSIONS:
VD hypovitaminosis is
common in children with recurrent AOM and associated with an increase in the
occurrence of AOM when serum 25(OH)D levels are < 30 ng/mL. The
administration of VD in a dosage of 1000 IU/d restores serum values of ≥30 ng/mL
in most cases and is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of
uncomplicated AOM.
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