Efficacy of deer antler powder vitamin-mineral supplement in children who have had COVID-19 infection

Introduction. The absence of unified pathogenetically substantiated protocols for therapy and rehabilitation of children with post-covid syndrome (PCS) urges healthcare professionals to seek new methods, specifically nutritional support.

Aim. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the deer antler powder vitamin-mineral supplement in children who have had COVID-19 infection.

Materials and methods. A total of 60 children aged 3 to 17 years old who had SARS-CoV-2 at least 3 months earlier were enrolled in the prospective open-label comparative study. The patients were divided into two groups: the treatment group (n = 30) included children with PCS and the comparator group (n = 30) included convalescents without PCS symptoms. All of them were prescribed a deer antler powder vitamin-mineral supplement (Russia) to be taken for 60 days. To assess changes in PCS, international paediatric QoL questionnaires; common blood count, biochemical tests, and nonparametric statistical methods were used.

Results. In the treatment group, a significant improvement in all PCS symptoms was reported after completing the vitamin-mineral supplement course. The total frequency of outpatient visits decreased from 90.0 to 40.0% with a reduction in episodes of respiratory diseases. The sleep disorders decreased from 60.0 to 3.3%. Chronic fatigue and low tolerance to physical and cognitive loads reduced from 66.6 to 10.0%; emotional status and academic performance improved. The KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire results demonstrated an improvement in quality of life. There was a significant decrease in ESR inflammatory marker. No children showed significant changes in liver function tests, which may suggest the absence of liver dysfunction. No adverse events or allergic reactions were reported throughout the entire period of observation.

Conclusions. The two-month vitamin-mineral supplementation course demonstrated high clinical efficacy, excellent tolerability, and a favourable safety profile in the comprehensive treatment of PCS in children.

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