Background: The number of children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is proliferating. However, currently, there are no drugs approved for the management of NAFLD. There have been some studies on vitamin D and NAFLD in children. However, the effectiveness of vitamin D in children with NAFLD has not been systematically evaluated. The objective of this systematic review will be to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D in children with NAFLD.
Methods: We will search through PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and the ClinicalTrials.gov website without restriction on publishing status. To supplement our search strategy, we will scan the reference lists of the identified studies for detailed evaluation for additional possible eligible studies, and we will also search conference proceedings related to this topic. All databases were searched from inception to present. Any clinical randomized controlled trials related to vitamin D supplement for treating NAFLD (simple steatosis/NAFL and NASH) in children will be included. NAFLD had to be diagnosed by liver histology, imaging (ultrasound, computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging). The primary outcomes will be changes in liver fibrosis and liver enzymes. The variations in serum vitamin D level, BMI, insulin levels, lipid profiles, liver fat content will also be assessed. All statistical analyses will be carried out using RevMan, version 5.3, Copenhagen: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014.
Results: This study will provide a comprehensive high-quality synthesis to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in children with NAFLD.
Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide evidence to judge whether vitamin D supplementation is an effective intervention for children with NAFLD.
Registration number: INPLASY202050049.