Clinical research

High-dose vitamin D for pediatric short bowel syndrome with vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency

  • Wu Qingqing ,
  • Cao Yi ,
  • Lu Lina ,
  • Tao Yijing ,
  • Feng Haixia ,
  • Yan Weihui ,
  • Wang Ying
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  • 1.Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
    2.Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai 200092, China
First author contact:Wu Qingqing and Cao Yi designed the study. Wang Ying contributed to the conception and design of the research. Yan Weihui, Lu Lina, Tao Yijing, and Feng Haixia contributed to collection and analysis of the data. Wu Qingqing drafted the manuscript. Wang Yin and Yan Weihui revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors have read the last version of paper and consented to submission.
Wang Ying, E-mail: wangying_ssmu@126.com.

Received date: 2025-05-05

  Accepted date: 2025-12-05

  Online published: 2026-01-30

Supported by

National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFC2706505);National Natural Science Foundation of China(82370525);Top-notch Project of Shanghai Oriental Talent Plan(BJWS2024033);Shanghai “Medical New Star” Outstanding Young Medical Talents Project(20234Z0004);“Two-hundred Talents”Program of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine(2024-009)

Abstract

Objective ·To explore the safety and efficacy of a single high-dose intramuscular injection of vitamin D in children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) complicated by vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency. Methods ·The retrospective study included 32 children with SBS complicated by vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency. When the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] concentration was lower than 50 nmol/L, a single intramuscular injection of 200 000 IU vitamin D2 was administered. Clinical data, including gender, age, primary disease, remaining length of the small intestine, presence of the ileocecal valve, and colonic integrity, were collected. Skin conditions at the intramuscular injection site and the levels of serum 25-(OH)D, calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase before and one month after vitamin D supplementation were recorded. Results ·The median age at enrollment was 5.0 (3.0, 7.0) months. Intestinal atresia and necrotizing enterocolitis were the main causes of SBS, accounting for 28.13% and 21.88%, respectively. The average length of the remaining small intestine was (57.27±24.55) cm. Before vitamin D supplementation, 65.63% (21/32) of children had vitamin D deficiency and 34.38% (11/32) had vitamin D insufficiency. After supplementation, serum 25-(OH)D levels increased significantly compared with baseline (53.10 nmol/L vs. 28.87 nmol/L, P<0.001). In children with vitamin D insufficiency, the serum 25-(OH)D levels increased from 37.30 nmol/L to 58.51 nmol/L (P=0.010), while in those with vitamin D deficiency, the levels increased from 26.91 nmol/L to 44.82 nmol/L (P<0.001). Overall, 62.50% (20/32) of children achieved normal serum 25-(OH)D levels. Moreover, no complications, including vitamin D toxicity, hypercalcemia, skin induration, or local infection, were observed in any of the children. Conclusion ·A single high-dose (200 000 IU) intramuscular injection of vitamin D can safely and effectively improve the vitamin D level in children with SBS complicated by vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency.

Cite this article

Wu Qingqing , Cao Yi , Lu Lina , Tao Yijing , Feng Haixia , Yan Weihui , Wang Ying . High-dose vitamin D for pediatric short bowel syndrome with vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2026 , 46(1) : 54 -59 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2026.01.006

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