Comparison of Oral Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Raising Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Status in Pediatric Patients

Abstract Background there is a controversy regarding the effect of vitamin D2 and D3 in elevating and sustaining 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in pediatric patients. It has been suggested that vitamin D3 may be superior to vitamin D2 in raising and sustaining adequate 25(OH)D values. Aim: To study the difference between the effect of enteral vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 administration in raising and maintaining serum 25(OH)D in pediatric patients. Methods Randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted in Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, where 60 participants who had vitamin D deficiency were recruited. Subjects were divided into two groups, 30 patients per group (group A received 2400 IU of oral vitamin D2 daily and group B received 2400 IU of oral vitamin D3 daily). History of sun exposure and dietary intake of calcium, assessment of anthropometric measures and Tanner staging, laboratory investigations were documented. Follow up of serum level of 25(OH)D was done every month for three consecutive months. Results Oral vitamin D3 supplementation in group B patients resulted in significantly higher increments in 25(OH)D levels than that achieved by oral vitamin D2 supplementation in group A after 2nd, and 3rd months of the supplementation (P=0.000). Vitamin D3 supplementation resulted in a significantly greater increment in serum 25(OH)D levels from 1st to 2nd month and from 1st to 3rd month than Vitamin D2 supplementation (P=0.000). All participants in group B (100%) who received vitamin D3 reached sufficient levels (≥ 30 ng/ml) after 2 months while 76.7% of participants in group A who received vitamin D2 reached sufficient levels after 2 months and 23.3% of participants after 3 months (P= 0.017). Conclusion Oral vitamin D3 supplementation was more effective in raising serum 25(OH)D status in pediatric patients than oral vitamin D2 supplementation.