TITLE:
Flu Vaccine Coupled to Vitamin D Decrease the Frequency of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (Randomized Controlled Trial)
AUTHORS:
C. Tayeh, P. Noun, A. Farah, Y. Khalife, G. Abi Fares, M. Amm, H. Feghali, G. Nicolas, M. C. Fadous Khalife
KEYWORDS:
Influenza, Flu Vaccine, Vitamin D, Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.7 No.4,
December
28,
2017
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Influenza disease is one of the major health concerns in pediatrics. One
of the most recently suggested effects of vitamin D is preventing infectious
diseases. The aim of our study was to compare flu vaccine effect to flu vaccine
associated to vitamin D (100,000 UI per OS)
in reducing respiratory tract infections in children. Patients and Methods: 347 healthy children aged 2 to 5 years randomly selected during fall 2012 and
the following season fall 2013 were
included; upper and lower respiratory tract infections following vaccination were noted. Our results were analyzed
using SPSS program (Chi-square and
T-test). Results: Out of a total of 347 children included, 150 received
flu vaccine and 197 received flu
vaccine plus vitamin D. 88 children from both groups manifested upper respiratory tract infections and
64 had lower respiratory tract
infections. The statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between
the two groups concerning the upper respiratory tract infection (p = 0.207)
and a significant difference between groups for the lower respiratory tract
infection (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Coupling vitamin D to flu vaccine provides no
protection against upper respiratory infections but provides an effective
strategy to decrease the rate of lower respiratory infections in children 2 - 5 years
of age.