Cosenza et al.’s article “Calcium and vitamin D intakes in children: A randomized controlled trial” is about a study, randomized controlled trial, done to determine the role of adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D in the prevention of rickets and mineralization of bones. The study aimed to demonstrate how supplementation aids in the prevention of rickets and boosts the mineralization of bones. The study recruited 150 male children with dietary reference intakes of less than 70% in both calcium and vitamin D intakes. The participants were randomized to two intervention groups, namely, a group under dietary counseling and supplementation and another group under dietary counseling only. After four months of interventions, serum levels of vitamin D were evaluated and compared.
The findings showed that at the commencement of the study, the serum levels of vitamin D were below 30ng/ml among all participants. However, after four months of both interventions, there was a marked difference in the levels of vitamin D in serum. Cosenza et al. report that the mean serum level of vitamin D among participants under dietary counseling and supplementation of calcium and vitamin D was 33.8ng/ml while the mean serum level of vitamin D among participants under dietary counseling only was 24.5ng/ml. Therefore, the findings show that supplementation with calcium and vitamin D boosts the levels of vitamin D in the body to optimal levels for the healthy development of bones and prevention of rickets.
As the study has demonstrated that dietary counseling only does not boost the levels of 25(OH) D in serum to optimal levels essential in the prevention of rickets and strengthening of bones, it recommends the use of vitamin D supplements and fortification of food.