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. 2016 Apr 27;14(1):28.
doi: 10.1186/s12969-016-0089-1.

Vitamin D levels in children with familial Mediterranean fever

Hatice Onur  1 , Hale Aral  2 , Vefik Arica  3 , Gamze Atalay Bercem  4 , Ozgur Kasapcopur  5
Affiliations

Vitamin D levels in children with familial Mediterranean fever

Hatice Onur et al. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. .

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine whether vitamin D deficiency is more common in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) than in healthy individuals.

Methods: The study group consisted of 100 patients diagnosed with FMF and 50 healthy children. Serum baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and other related parameters were evaluated.

Results: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) vitamin D levels in patients with FMF and healthy controls were 24.78 (8.35) and 28.70 (11.70) ng/mL, respectively. Patients with FMF had significantly decreased vitamin D levels compared with those in healthy controls (P = 0.039). Vitamin D levels were similar in patients with FMF with different MEFV mutations (P = 0.633). Age was significantly correlated with vitamin D levels (r = -0.235, P = 0.019). In addition, a negative correlation between parathyroid hormone and vitamin D levels was detected (rs = -0.382, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that vitamin D levels are lower in children with FMF than in healthy controls. We speculate that vitamin D levels should be carefully examined, and nutritional supplementation may be required in patients with FMF. Further studies with larger patient populations are needed to confirm the frequency of vitamin D deficiency in patients with FMF.

Keywords: 25-hydroxyvitamin D; Children; Familial Mediterranean fever; Gene mutation.

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