Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on CD4 Count in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents in North India: A Non-Randomized Comparative Study

Background: HIV infection is still a serious public health issue globally. Suboptimal vitamin D status is highly prevalent in HIV-infected children and adolescents throughout the world.

Objectives: To evaluate the outcome of vitamin D supplementation on CD4 count in HIV-infected children and adolescents with suboptimal vitamin D status.

Methods: Vitamin D level of HIV-infected children and adolescents were measured at enrolment. Suboptimal vitamin D level was defined as 25(OH)D < 30 ng/ml. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were defined as 21-29 and <20 ng/ml, respectively. Children with suboptimal vitamin D levels were supplemented with vitamin D.

Results: This was a single-centre, non-randomized comparative study enrolling 50 eligible participants. There were 20 patients who were vitamin D sufficient, 7 were vitamin D insufficient and 23 were found to be vitamin D deficient at enrolment. However, after supplementation, the status of sufficient remained same and 7 insufficient become sufficient, whereas in 23 deficient, 18 (78.3%) become sufficient and 5 (21.7%) become insufficient and this change was found statistically significant among the groups (χ2 = 6.52, p = 0.038). There was a significant improvement of CD4 count from baseline to 4 months in deficient group on vitamin D supplementation (p value < 0.001; 1.2-fold rise). No significant change was seen in vitamin D insufficient (p value = 0.791) and sufficient groups (p value = 0.168).

Conclusion: Vitamin D should be supplemented in HIV-infected children on ART with low CD4 counts.