Long-Term Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation in Obese Children During Integrated Weight-Loss Programme-A Double Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D was studied in regards to its possible impact on body mass reduction and metabolic changes in adults and children with obesity yet there were no studies assessing the impact of vitamin D supplementation during a weight management program in children and adolescence. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of 26 weeks of vitamin D supplementation in overweight and obese children undergoing an integrated 12-months' long weight loss program on body mass reduction, body composition and bone mineral density. METHODS: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Vitamin D deficient patients (<30 ng/ml level of vitamin D) aged 6-14, participating in multidisciplinary weight management program were randomly allocated to receiving vitamin D (1200 IU) or placebo for the first 26 weeks of the intervention. RESULTS: Out of the 152 qualified patients, 109 (72%) completed a full cycle of four visits scheduled in the program. There were no difference in the level of BMI (body mass index) change - both raw BMI and BMI centiles. Although the reduction of BMI centiles was greater in the vitamin D vs. placebo group (-4.28 ± 8.43 vs. -2.53 ± 6.10) the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.319). Similarly the reduction in fat mass-assessed both using bioimpedance and DEXa was achieved, yet the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study ads substantial results to support the thesis on no effect of vitamin D supplementation on body weight reduction in children and adolescents with vitamin D insufficiency undergoing a weight management program.

Long-term effects of vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D deficient obese children participating in an integrated weight-loss programme (a double-blind placebo-controlled study) - rationale for the study design.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated not only with an array of metabolic disorders (e.g. insulin resistance, hiperinsulinemia, impaired tolerance of glucose, lipid disorders) but also skeletal and joint abnormalities. Recently, a pleiotropic role of vitamin D has been emphasized. Obese children frequently present with vitamin D deficiency, and greater fat mass is associated with lower serum concentration of this vitamin. Although some evidence suggests that weight loss may affect vitamin D status, this issue has not been studied extensively thus far. The aim of a double-blind placebo-controlled study is to assess long-term health effects of vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D deficient obese children participating in an integrated weight-loss programme. METHODS: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial analysing the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation in overweight or obese vitamin D deficient (<30 ng/ml) children participating in an integrated weight-loss programme. Children are randomized to receive either vitamin D (1200 IU) or placebo for 26 weeks. Primary endpoints include changes in BMI (body mass index), body composition and bone mineral density at the end of the study period, and secondary endpoints - the changes in laboratory parameter reflecting liver and kidney function (transaminases, creatinine) and glucose homeostasis (glucose and insulin levels during oral glucose tolerance test). DISCUSSION: The effects of vitamin D supplementation in obese individuals, especially children, subjected to a weight-loss program are still poorly understood. Considering physiological processes associated with puberty and adolescent growth, we speculate that supplementation may enhance weight reduction and prevent bone loss in obese children deficient in this vitamin. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT 02828228 ; Trial registration date: 8 Jun 2016; Registered in: ClinicalTrials.gov. The trial was registered retrospectively.

Reorganization of nutritional therapy can markedly reduce the rate of catheter-related blood stream infections in pediatric patients receiving parenteral nutrition - a 7-year prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Implementation of hygienic measures and simple changes in the structure of medical team may considerably reduce the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in parenterally nourished patients. AIM: To analyze the effects of organizational changes in parenteral nutrition services on the CRBSI rates in pediatric patients. METHODS: We compared the CRBSI rates documented prior to, during and after the implementation of the organizational changes (introduction of a nutritional support team and related procedures, medical staff training). FINDINGS: A total of 260 courses of parenteral nutrition were offered to 141 pediatric patients during the analyzed period. Thirty CRBSIs were documented during this period. The most frequent etiological factors were staphylococci (21/30), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans (2/30 each). The reorganization was reflected by more than 8-fold reduction of the CRBSI incidence rate: from the initial value of 10.14 to 6.89 per 1000 catheter days and 1.17 per 1000 catheter days during and after the reorganization, respectively. CONCLUSION: Introduction of a nutritional support team, accompanied by extensive training of medical staff, can result in a marked reduction of CRBSI rate in pediatric patients nourished parenterally in a hospital setting.

Antecedentes: La implementación de medidas higiénicas y cambios sencillos en la estructura del personal médico puede reducir considerablemente la tasa de bacteriemia asociada al catéter (BAC) en pacientes que reciben nutrición parenteral. Objetivo: Analizar el impacto de los cambios organizacionales dentro de los servicios de nutrición parenteral sobre las tasas de BAC en pacientes pediátricos. Métodos: Hemos comparado las tasas de BAC documentadas antes, durante y después de la implementación de los cambios organizacionales (introducción de un grupo de apoyo nutricional y los procedimientos relacionados, formación del personal médico). Descubrimientos: Un total de 260 series de nutrición parenteral fueron ofrecidos a 141 pacientes pediátricos durante el periodo analizado. Se documentaron treinta BAC durante este periodo. Los factores etiológicos más frecuentes eran staphylococci (21/30), seguidos por Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli y Candida albicans (2/30 cada uno). Los cambios organizacionales fueron reflejados en una reducción de la incidencia de BAC en más de 8 veces: el valor inicial disminuyó desde 10.14 hasta 6.89 por 1000 días-catéter y hasta 1.17 por 1000 días-catéter durante y después de la reorganización, respectivamente. Conclusión: La introducción de un grupo de apoyo nutricional, acompañada de una extensa formación del personal médico puede resultar en una reducción considera ble de la tasa de BAC en pacientes pediátricos que reciben nutrición parenteral en en un entorno hospitalario.