Vitamin D Supplementation in Children With Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disease characterized by abnormal hemoglobin, the main constituent of red blood cells. People with SCD have nutritional deficiencies, and vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are similar to those of SCD and include chronic pain and bone complications. Correcting vitamin D nutrition of children with SCD represents a treatment that will improve their health. A single oral high-dose of vitamin D3 will be given to SCD children during one of their follow-up visits at the SCD clinic of CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada. This mode of administration was chosen to ensure a better adherence to the treatment. The investigators will determine whether this dose is safe and its administration feasible in clinic. The impact of this dose on blood vitamin D and calcium, urinary calcium, growth, inflammation, bone health, pain and quality of life will also be assessed. This study intends to propose a new intervention to improve the nutrition of children with this disease.