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Vitamin D levels in children with recurrent tonsillitis
Salih Aydın1, Ismet Aslan, Ismail Yıldız
1Department of Otolaryngology, Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey. drsalihaydin@gmail.com
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|January 11, 2011
Summary
This study found no significant difference in serum vitamin D levels or vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism between children with recurrent tonsillitis and healthy children. However, vitamin D insufficiency was more common in children with recurrent tonsillitis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric immunology
- Nutritional science
- Genetics
Background:
- Recurrent tonsillitis etiology is not fully understood, with potential links to immune system defects.
- Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune function.
- Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms may influence susceptibility to infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum vitamin D levels in children with recurrent tonsillitis.
- To examine vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms (Apa1, Taq 1, Fok1) in these children.
- To compare these findings with a control group of healthy children.
Main Methods:
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured using ELISA in 106 children with recurrent tonsillitis and 127 healthy controls (ages 2-12).
- Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms (Apa1, Taq 1, Fok1) were determined by PCR.
- Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as serum levels below 80 nmol/L.
Main Results:
- Average serum vitamin D levels were similar between the recurrent tonsillitis group (176±79 nmol/L) and the control group (193±56 nmol/L) (p=0.13).
- No significant differences were observed in vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms between the two groups.
- Vitamin D insufficiency was present in 18% of children with recurrent tonsillitis.
Conclusions:
- Serum vitamin D levels and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism do not differ significantly between children with recurrent tonsillitis and healthy children.
- Vitamin D insufficiency is more prevalent in children experiencing recurrent tonsillitis.
- Further research may explore other factors contributing to recurrent tonsillitis.
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