Efficacy of vitamin D therapy for resolution of pain symptoms in growing pain children with hypovitaminosis D

Background: Growing pain (GP) is the most common cause of recurrent musculoskeletal pain in children. GP has association with vitamin D deficiency. To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D treatment on the resolution of pain symptoms in children having GP with hypovitaminosis D. Methods: A Prospective open label interventional study was conducted in outpatient department (OPD), Department of Pediatrics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh. Children with GP defined by Evans criteria (2008) along with hypovitaminosis D were selected as cases. Initially, serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) and calcium level were measured and pain severity was assessed using Wong Baker Faces Scale. Then 2000 IU/day vitamin D3 was given orally for at least 12 weeks. Serum vitamin D and calcium level along with pain severity assessment were done again to observe the changes after vitamin D therapy. Results: Total 30 children with GP and hypovitaminosis D were included in this study. Initially, vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were found in 93.33% and 6.66% children respectively, whereas after vitamin D therapy, majority (70%) of children had achieved normal vitamin D level. Before vitamin D therapy, 43.33% and 53.33% patients had severe and moderate pain, while after therapy, majority (70%) had only mild pain. Mean pain severity score was also significantly decreased after vitamin D therapy. Conclusions: Vitamin D therapy among the children with growing pains significantly increased the serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and resulted in a significant resolution of pain symptoms, thus improving the quality of life.