Cochrane · systematic review · CD013134

Vitamin C supplementation for prevention and treatment of pneumonia

Padhani, ZA, Moazzam, Z, Ashraf, A, et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2021 · Cochrane Library

Acute Respiratory Infections2 versionsAMSTAR 2: not assessed
SoF tableOnly the outcomes this review put in its Summary of Findings table are listed (the Cochrane Handbook caps them at about seven per comparison). Its other analyses are not shown here.
Questions
8
current version
GRADE rated
3
No studies
5
Included studies
NR
No studies 5 · 62.5%Ungraded 0 · 0%Very low 3 · 37.5%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 0 · 0%High 0 · 0%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

Questions and results

Show all 2 versions

Vitamin C compared to placebo for prevention of pneumonia

Population: school‐aged children (6 to 15 years) and marine corps recruits (mean age 18.5 years)
4 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Incidence of pneumonia Defined as patient admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia Dose: 2 g per day
Vitamin C vs placebo
RR 0.15 [0.02, 1.2]1 study · 674 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Prevalance of pneumonia
Vitamin C vs placebo
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Mortality due to pneumonia
Vitamin C vs placebo
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Adverse effects (urticaria) Defined as participants reporting urticaria (hives) Dose: 2 g per day
Vitamin C vs placebo
RR 3.11 [0.13, 76.03]1 study · 674 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision

Vitamin C compared to placebo for treatment of pneumonia

Population: children under 5 years of age
4 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Duration of illness Defined as number of days until illness improved Dose: 200 mg daily
Vitamin C vs placebo
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Clinical cure rate
Vitamin C vs placebo
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Mortality due to pneumonia
Vitamin C vs placebo
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Adverse effects
Vitamin C vs placebo
no estimate extractedNRNo studies