title: Musculoskeletal Pain and Vitamin D Deficiency in Children: A Pilot Follow-up Study of Vitamin D Therapy in Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic Conditions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pediatric populations is high. In the present study we analyzed associations between vitamin D therapy and pain, mobility, fatigue, and daily functioning in children with musculoskeletal/orthopedic conditions suffering from chronic and recurrent pain, but also diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children with different musculoskeletal/orthopedic conditions and vitamin D deficiency were prescribed to receive vitamin D over 6 months. Thirty-five children (18 males; age 10.48 ± 3.87 years) completed a 6-month follow-up. Self- and parent/proxy rating scales were used to evaluate pain, movement, fatigue, and daily functioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a six-month follow-up assessment involving child- and parent-reported scores, worst pain intensity significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.03) after vitamin D therapy, as well as functioning problems related to pain (p ≤ 0.01). The children reported better movement and balance with less fatigue. The parents reported better functioning in everyday activities of their children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study showed that vitamin D therapy possibly reduces pain intensity and improves mobility and daily functioning in children with musculoskeletal/orthopedic disorders, chronic recurrent pain, and vitamin D deficiency. Further follow-up and randomized studies are required in order to assess the validity of clinical recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Orthopedic Surgery "Banjica", Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Blagojevic
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nikolic
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kisic-Tepavcevic
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Terzic Supic
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kovacevic
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zivkovic
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stevanovic
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D