Effects of Sunlight Exposure on Vitamin D Levels and Respiratory Infections in Young Children With Cerebral Palsy

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how sunlight exposure affects vitamin D levels in children aged 1 to 5 years who have cerebral palsy. It also studies whether sunlight exposure influences the frequency of acute respiratory tract infections and assesses the safety of this exposure in these children. Children with cerebral palsy often face a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency due to limited mobility, dietary challenges, and medications that affect vitamin D metabolism. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups one receiving sunlight exposure and one continuing their usual sunlight habits. Those in the sunlight group will have 10 minutes of sun exposure three times a week between 1100 AM and 100 PM for 8 weeks, exposing about 30% of their body surface area. The control group will not undergo this structured exposure. Caregivers will track daily sunlight exposure, respiratory infection episodes, adverse effects, and diet during the study. Throughout the study, children will undergo baseline and post-intervention assessments including vitamin D levels, body measurements, dietary evaluations, and skin type assessment. Researchers will monitor safety by checking for any signs of discomfort during sun exposure and will ensure adherence through scheduled video calls. The primary outcome is vitamin D level changes after 8 weeks, with secondary outcomes including respiratory infections and any adverse effects. The study lasts 8 weeks with ongoing monitoring during this period.

Effect of Sunlight Exposure on Vitamin D Levels in Children With Cerebral Palsy