Vitamin D3 and calcium carbonate for bone health in children with HIV
What it found
In children and teenagers living with HIV in Zambia and Zimbabwe, researchers are testing whether weekly vitamin D3 and daily calcium carbonate improve bone density, muscle strength and breathing infections over 48 weeks.
The trial is still analysing its results.
What they found
Bone density measured
The main measure was bone mineral density in the total body (excluding the head), measured by a special X-ray scan at 48 weeks. This was changed from an earlier measure because the two types of scanning machines in Zambia and Zimbabwe gave different results.
Muscle and infections
The researchers also planned to measure lean muscle mass, grip strength and the number of respiratory infections at 48 and 96 weeks.
Immune and gut effects
Sub-studies will look at vitamin D pathway metabolites, bone turnover markers, gut bacteria from rectal swabs, and immune function.
Safety monitoring
Participants had blood tests for calcium and phosphate at weeks 12 and 24 to check for high calcium levels, which can rarely occur with vitamin D and calcium supplements.
What the authors conclude
- They say this is the largest trial of vitamin D supplementation in children living with HIV.
- They believe that improving bone growth during childhood is critical for better bone health in adolescence and early adulthood, and for preventing fractures later in life.
- They hope the results will highlight the need to screen for and treat long-term health problems in children living with HIV in resource-limited settings.
How it was done
Children living with HIV often have weaker bones, stunted growth and delayed puberty, and vitamin D deficiency is common in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors wanted to see if these supplements could help build stronger bones during the teenage growth spurt.
They enrolled 840 children and teenagers aged 11 to 19 with HIV in Zambia and Zimbabwe who had been taking HIV treatment for at least 6 months. Half received weekly vitamin D3 (20,000 IU) plus daily calcium carbonate (500 mg), and half received a placebo, for 48 weeks, with follow-up to 96 weeks.
What it can’t tell you
- This is a study protocol, so no results are available yet. The trial is still analysing its data.
- The trial can show whether the supplements caused changes in bone density and other measures, but it cannot prove they prevent fractures in later life.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (from the PubMed record).
- Conflicts
- The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
- Authors work at
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Zimbabwe; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK; University Teaching Hospital, Zambia
The paper
- Title
- Update: Vitamin D 3 and calcium carbonate supplementation for adolescents with HIV to reduce musculoskeletal morbidity and immunopathology (VITALITY trial): study protocol for a randomised placebo-controlled trial
- Type
- Study
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Dzavakwa NV, Chisenga M, McHugh G, et al (2024). Update: Vitamin D 3 and calcium carbonate supplementation for adolescents with HIV to reduce musculoskeletal morbidity and immunopathology (VITALITY trial): study protocol for a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Trials. doi:10.1186/s13063-024-08342-zFree full textPubMed 39039558DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error