title: Efficacy and tolerability of a high loading dose (25,000 IU weekly) vitamin D3 supplementation in obese children with vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recommended dose of vitamin D supplementation of 400 IU/day might be inadequate to treat obese children with vitamin D insufficiency. Therefore, we tested the efficacy and tolerability of a high loading dose vitamin D3 supplementation of 25,000 IU weekly in multiethnic obese children, 8-18 years of age, with vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fasting blood samples were drawn for the assessment of vitamin D. Vitamin D-insufficient/-deficient children (<50 nmol/l) were supplemented, using a high loading dose of 25,000 IU weekly, and measured again 9 weeks later. Vitamin D supplementation was considered effective and tolerable when an increase to vitamin D sufficiency (25(OH)D >50 nmol/l) was reached in >75% without side effects nor reaching toxic levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 109 children (mean ± SD age 11.1 ± 3.0, 34.2% boys, 90.8% obese) received vitamin D supplementation. In 84.4% of the children, the vitamin D status improved from insufficiency/deficiency (<50 nmol/l) to sufficiency (≥50 nmol/l). The majority of children that did not reach vitamin D sufficiency reported non-compliance. No side effects were reported, and the highest level reached was far below the threshold for toxicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high loading dose vitamin D3 supplementation is effective and well-tolerated in our cohort of multiethnic obese children with vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Slotervaart Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Nalini N E
authors: NN
authors: Radhakishun
authors: Mariska
authors: M
authors: van Vliet
authors: Dennis C W
authors: DC
authors: Poland
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Weijer
authors: Jos H
authors: JH
authors: Beijnen
authors: Dees P M
authors: DP
authors: Brandjes
authors: Michaela
authors: M
authors: Diamant
authors: Ines A
authors: IA
authors: von Rosenstiel
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D002762:Cholecalciferol