London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine press release
Giving adolescents living with HIV high-dose vitamin D and calcium supplements can help improve their bone density and reduce the risk of fractures, a new study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health suggests.
The researchers estimate that taking the supplements reduced the risk of bone fractures in this group by 10% over one year, with potential further benefits beyond that.
Previous studies in high and middle income countries suggested high doses of vitamin D can improve the bone density and muscle power of children and adolescents with HIV. The researchers set out to test whether a high weekly dose of vitamin D (20,000 international units) combined with a daily dose of calcium carbonate (500mg) could help improve the bones of adolescents with HIV in Africa where children tend to get less vitamin D from their diet and where 90% of children with HIV live.
Read the full press release here.
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