Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Efficacy of oral calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 granules for the management of pains in growing limbs in children

Yibing Wang, Jian Cui, Nan Zhang, Xuteng Zhang, Zhengqiang Li, Xinghui Zheng, Jianli Bu

Department of Orthopedics, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang City 050000, China;

For correspondence:-

Accepted: 29 June 2024 Published: 31 July 2024

Citation: Wang Y, Cui J, Zhang N, Zhang X, Li Z, Zheng X, et al. Efficacy of oral calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 granules for the management of pains in growing limbs in children. Trop J Pharm Res 2024; 23(7):1135-1140 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v23i7.12

© 2024 The authors.
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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 Z-scores, 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.

Keywords: Pains in growing limbs, 25-(OH)D, Calcium carbonate, Vitamin D3 granules, Bone density