The immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D drops in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of vitamin D drops on immune function in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTI). METHODS The clinical data of 119 children with RRTI in our hospital were retrospectively retrieved, and they were divided into group A (n=59, receiving routine treatment) and group B (n=60, receiving vitamin D drops) based on their treatment modality. The clinical efficacy, symptom disappearance time, immune function index, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25-(OH)D3], serum y-interferon (INF-y), and the number of episodes of respiratory tract infections were compared between the two groups. RESULTS The total effective rate of treatment in group B was 96.67%, which was significantly higher than 71.19% in group A (P<0.05). Children in group B had shorter time to disappearance of lung rales, cough, and fever than group A (P<0.05). Group B had higher IgA, IgG, and IgM levels, higher CD4+, CD3+ levels and lower CD8+ levels as well as higher IGF-1, 25-(OH)D3, INF-y levels, and fewer respiratory infections after treatment than group A (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Vitamin D drops are effective in the treatment of children with RRTI, which is beneficial to the improvement of clinical symptoms and immune function.