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Efficacy of oral calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 granules for the management of pains in growing limbs in children
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 granules in bone
density and growing limbs in children.
Methods: One hundred children with pains in growing limbs were recruited as the study group,
juxtaposed with a blank group comprised of 100 healthy children with no pains. Both groups underwent
physical examinations at Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang City, China during the
study period. Children in the study group were further randomized into treatment group (n = 50) which
received orally administered calcium carbonate (500 mg) and vitamin D3 granules (35 μg) once daily for
3 months and control group (n = 50) without treatment intervention. Bone density, pain severity, serum
25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D), calcium, and phosphorus levels were determined in all groups.
Results: There was no significant difference in serum calcium, phosphorus, and bone density Z-scores
in the study and control groups (p > 0.05). Also, the presence of pains in growing limbs of children was
associated with significantly lower serum levels of 25-(OH)D (p < 0.05), but treatment with calcium
carbonate and vitamin D3 granules significantly ameliorated pain (p < 0.05). After treatment, children
who received calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 granules exhibited significantly higher bone density Zscores,
with higher scores observed in those with effective treatment outcomes compared to those with
ineffective outcomes (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Pains in growing limbs of children are associated with serum 25-(OH)D levels. Oral
administration of calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 granules significantly alleviates the severity of pains
and improves bone density. Further studies using larger patient populations and multi-racial centers will
be needed to consider potential factors such as genetic and environmental that may have an impact on
the study outcomes.