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.