Trial of High-Dose Vitamin D in the Treatment of Complicated Severe Acute Malnutrition

Inclusion criteria

• Consent of parent / guardian
• Age 6-59 months at enrolment
• Diagnosis of complicated SAM at the point of hospital admission as defined by the World Health Organisation.
• Medical team managing the child has made the decision to discharge the child from inpatient care

Exclusion criteria

• Ingestion of a dose of vitamin D>200,000 IU (5 mg) in the last 3 months
• Known diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism or sarcoidosis (i.e. conditions pre-disposing to vitamin D hypersensitivity)
• Known neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g. cerebral palsy)
• HIV infection
• Taking anti-tuberculosis treatment
• Inability to assess child's developmental status at baseline using the Malawi Development Assessment Tool
• Signs of rickets
• Corrected serum calcium concentration >2.65 mmol/L on blood sample taken during the current hospital admission