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Background: Vitamin D, in addition to its role in calcium and bone homeostasis, is a multifunctional regulator of inflammation and of innate and adaptive immune responses. Deficiencies are prevalent in sickle cell disease. We conducted a randomized double- blind active-controlled clinical trial comparing high- (100,000 IU/month) and low-dose (12,000 IU/month) oral vitamin D3in 62 children with sickle cell disease to reduce respiratory complications including infection, asthma exacerbation and acute chest syndrome (ViDAS trial: Vitamin D for sickle cell respiratory complications; NCT01443728). A secondary aim was to examine the effects of vitamin D on immune function and inflammation.

Background: Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are highly susceptible to stroke and other manifestations of pediatric cerebral vasculopathy. Inflammation is a risk factor for acute stroke. In a cross-sectional study of Ugandan children, we asked whether inflammatory markers correlated with findings on neurological and neurocognitive testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Brittenham: Nestec, Inc.: Consultancy; Novartis International: Consultancy; Tesseract Health, Inc.: Consultancy; Vifor Fresenius Medical Care: Consultancy; Ambys Medicines: Consultancy; Dispersol Technologies: Consultancy; Rockwell Medical, Inc.: Consultancy.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.