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Vitamin D status in children with headache: A case-control study
A Donmez1, E Orun2, F M Sonmez3
1Acibadem Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN
|February 21, 2018
Summary
Children with headaches, particularly those with low sun exposure, show significantly lower vitamin D levels. This suggests a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and headaches in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin with hormonal functions, is vital for bone metabolism, brain development, and cell regulation.
- Emerging evidence suggests a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the occurrence of headaches.
- Headaches, including migraine and tension-type headache (TTH), are common conditions in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between vitamin D levels and headaches in children.
- To compare vitamin D levels in children with headaches versus healthy controls.
- To explore the influence of solar exposure on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study evaluated 147 children with headaches (migraine or TTH) and 69 healthy controls (ages 5-16).
- Participants were categorized into high solar exposure (HSE) and low solar exposure (LSE) groups.
- Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH vitamin D3), calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone were measured.
Main Results:
- Children with headaches exhibited significantly lower 25-OH vitamin D3 levels compared to controls (17.1±9.4 vs. 25.8±12.8 ng/mL, p<0.001).
- This deficiency was observed in both HSE and LSE groups when compared to their respective controls.
- Significantly lower vitamin D levels were found in both migraine and TTH subgroups compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- A significant relationship exists between vitamin D deficiency and headaches in children.
- The association appears particularly pronounced in children with low solar exposure.
- Further randomized clinical studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to confirm these findings.
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