Study population
CHRONIC TONSILLITIS, VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
This study includes three randomized groups; eighty children with chronic tonsillitis associated with vitamin D deficiency (vitamin D level < 20 ng/ml) were enrolled in the study and divided randomly into two groups according to the administration of vitamin D supplements.1- Vitamin D group: includes 40 children, aged 4 to 8 years old (23 boys,17 girls) who received oral Vitamin D 50,000 IU weekly, in the form of cholecalciferol by Gradual replenishment regimen continued for 3–6 months. (The course is completed until confirmed normal laboratory measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level). 2-Placebo group: includes 40 children (23 boys,17 girls), aged 4 to 8 years old who received a placebo drug nearly of same course and duration as in the vitamin D group (5 ml distilled water). 3- Control group: includes 40 normal tonsillar biopsies taken from children with the normal level of 25(OH)D during adenoidectomy operations (these normal tonsils were based on clinical history and examination by laryngoscope before operation). They were aged 4 to 7 years old and were 23 boys and 17 girls.