Efficacy of vitamin C for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. A meta-analysis in children

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#adolescent #age-factors #antioxidants #ascorbic-acid #child

Efficacy of vitamin C for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. A meta-analysis in children

Vorilhon et al., 2019 | Eur J Clin Pharmacol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Vorilhon Philippe, Arpajou Bastien, ... Cabaillot Aurélie. Efficacy of vitamin C for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. A meta-analysis in children. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2019-Mar;75(3):303-311. doi:10.1007/s00228-018-2601-7

Abstract

PURPOSE: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a common infection in children, generally caused by viral respiratory infection. Vitamin C is currently proposed as prophylaxis for URTI. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of vitamin C administration in children for the prevention and reduced duration of URTI through a systematic literature review. METHODS: Review of the literature conducted between October 2017 and January 2018 in the main medical databases (CENTRAL, Medline and Embase) and by a gray literature approach. The selection criteria were: double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing vitamin C use to placebo in children aged 3 months to 18 years without chronic infection. Efficacy was assessed in terms of incidence, duration and severity of symptoms of URTI. A meta-analysis was conducted where possible. RESULTS: Eight RCTs, including 3135 children aged 3 months to 18 years, were selected. Quantitative analysis showed no difference between vitamin C administration and placebo (odds ratio = 0.75, 95% CI [0.54-1.03], p = 0.07, I2 = 74%). Vitamin C administration was found to decrease the duration of URTI by 1.6 days (standardized mean differences = -0.30 [-0.53; -0.08], p = 0.009, I2 = 70%). Children under 6 years of age benefit from more effective vitamin C supplementation associated with echinacea. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Although no preventive effects were found, vitamin C intake reduced the duration of URTI. Considering the frequency of URTI, the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics, and the safe nature of vitamin C, its supplementation is justified, especially in children under 6 years of age and those who present a high frequency of URTI. There is a sound rationale for further trials with greater statistical power among children of this age.

Key Findings

Eight RCTs, including 3135 children aged 3 months to 18 years, were selected. Quantitative analysis showed no difference between vitamin C administration and placebo (odds ratio = 0.75, 95% CI [0.54-1.03], p = 0.07, I2 = 74%). Vitamin C administration was found to decrease the duration of URTI by 1.6 days (standardized mean differences = -0.30 [-0.53; -0.08], p = 0.009, I2 = 70%). Children under 6 years of age benefit from more effective vitamin C supplementation associated with echinacea. No se

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Antioxidants
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Respiratory Tract Infections

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Retracted Publication
  • Vertical: echinacea

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09