Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics · IF 1.7 · September 28, 2026 · LoE III
Vitamin D Status, Supplementation and Radiographic Healing in Pediatric Both-Bone Forearm Fractures: A Prospective Controlled Study
Emin Can Balcı, Dilara Karakaş Balcı, Muhammed Uslu, Yiğit Önaloğlu, Anıl Şüküroğlu, Sait Küçükberber, Serdar Biber, Sidar Güneş, Oktay Adanır — Bağcılar Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
This single-centre prospective study followed 151 children aged 5 to 12 with cast-treated both-bone forearm shaft fractures, compared their vitamin D levels with 140 healthy controls, and tracked radiographic healing on mRUST scores. Children below 20 ng/mL had lower 12-week union rates than those at or above 20 ng/mL (52.2% vs 80.3% in Table 3). Among supplemented children, the non-randomly assigned 2000 IU/day dose was linked to higher adjusted odds of union than 1000 IU/day (OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.11 to 7.62), although 3-month vitamin D levels did not differ significantly between dose groups.
AI summary · from the full text · reviewed by Pukhraj Gaheer, Medical Student, Queen's University before publishing
Why it mattersPediatric forearm fractures are very common, and vitamin D deficiency is a plausible modifiable factor in slower bone healing, but these results are associations from a non-randomized comparison with internal numerical inconsistencies.
Conclusion strengthConfirms prior evidence
Outcome window not reached: this question needs 9 months.
Presenting this at rounds? Start here
- ?Should a child whose forearm fracture is slow to show callus on follow-up radiographs have a serum 25(OH)D level checked, and how would the result change cast duration or follow-up timing?
- ?If a child with a forearm fracture is found to be vitamin D deficient, how would you counsel the family about supplementation dose and what it can realistically do for healing?