Role of Vitamin D Supplementation for Resolution of Growing Pains in Children with Hypovitaminosis D
*Dr. Naima Rahman
MD (Paediatrics), Resident, Department of Paediatrics, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet, Bangladesh. naima.rahman42@gmail.com.
Prof. Mujibul Hoque
Head of the Department, Paediatrics, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College.
Prof. Akhlak Ahmed
Department of Paediatrics, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College
Dr. Muhammad Solaiman Mollah
DCH,FCPS(Paediatrics), Associate Professor (Paediatrics), Department of Paediatrics, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College.
Dr. Salma Akter
MD (Paediatrics), Resident, Department of Paediatrics, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College.
Dr. Md. Khairul Islam
MD (Phase B, Resident), Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bangladesh Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka.
Dr. Shibani Datta
MD (Paediatrics), Registrar, Neonatology Department, Chittagong Medical College
Abstract
Background: Growing pains (GP) are one of the common causes of parental anxieties nowadays. The exact causes of growing pain is unknown. Vitamin D plays an important in bone growth and metabolism. Currently few studies showed that hypovitaminosis D is associated with growing pains and vitamin D therapy may reduce the pain intensity in these children.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of vitamin D supplementation for resolution of growing pains in children who have hypovitaminosis D.
Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Sylhet M.A.G. Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet from July, 2021 to June, 2023. A total of sixty children aged 4 to 12 years were enrolled in the study. Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D and serum calcium level were estimated at time of enrollment among the 60 children. Thirty-five children had low level of vitamin D. Visual analogue scale VAS scoring was done to see the pain intensity. Children aged ≤6 years received 1,50,000 IU single oral dose of vitamin D and children aged >6 years received 3,00,000 IU single oral dose of vitamin D. After one month of vitamin D therapy VAS, serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D level and serum calcium level were done. After 3 months of vitamin D therapy VAS was done again among the study children.
Results: Among 60 children, 35 had low level of vitamin D Among the 60 children, 35 had low levels of vitamin D. Among 35 children, 21(60%) children were male and 14(40%) were female. Twenty-three (65.7%) children were from urban areas and 12(34.3%) children were from rural areas. The mean age of the children w a s 6 .60±2.13 y e a r s a n d m e a n h e i g h t w a s 1 1 5 .40±12.33 c m . About 51.4% children had family history of GP. Mean VAS was 6.88±1.07 at the beginning of study and it was 1.17±2.35 and 0.71±1.86 after one and three months of vitamin D therapy which was statistically highly significant (p=<0.001). Before vitamin D statistically highly significant (p=<0.001)
Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced the intensity of growing pains in children who have hypovitaminosis D.
Dinajpur Medical College Journal, 2026 Jul; 19 (2):161-167