Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
10:46

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data

Published on: December 9, 2015

Authors' reply: the biologic importance of the vitamin D binding protein polymorphism in pediatric COVID-19 patients

Elvan Bayramoğlu1, Gülşen Akkoç2, Ayşe Ağbaş3

  • 1Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Health Sciences Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. elvanbayramoglu@gmail.com.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|May 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Lower vitamin D (25 OH vitamin D) levels correlate with increased inflammation in children and adolescents with COVID-19. This suggests vitamin D plays a key role in managing the immune response during the infection.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Vitamin D is crucial for immune function, modulating responses to infections.
  • Vitamin D binding protein (DBP) transports over 99% of vitamin D metabolites, alongside albumin.

Discussion:

  • Lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 OH vitamin D) levels were linked to elevated inflammation markers in pediatric COVID-19 cases.
  • This association suggests vitamin D's role in regulating the systemic inflammatory response during COVID-19.

Key Insights:

  • A significant correlation exists between reduced vitamin D status and heightened inflammation in pediatric COVID-19 patients.
  • Vitamin D may be a critical factor in mitigating severe inflammatory responses in this demographic.

Outlook:

  • Further research is needed to explore the causal relationship between DBP levels and genetic variations (polymorphism) and vitamin D status in COVID-19.
  • Investigating total and bioavailable vitamin D is essential for a comprehensive understanding of its role in COVID-19 pathogenesis.

Keywords:
COVID-19, Vitamin D, Vitamin D binding protein

More Related Videos

A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-1906:46

A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19

Published on: July 5, 2022

COVID-19 Seroprevalence Test for IgG Antibody Levels Among Healthy Donors Across Different Pandemic Phases in Jeddah04:43

COVID-19 Seroprevalence Test for IgG Antibody Levels Among Healthy Donors Across Different Pandemic Phases in Jeddah

Published on: June 24, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs01:05

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs

A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Factors Affecting Protein-Drug Binding: Patient-Related Factors01:29

Factors Affecting Protein-Drug Binding: Patient-Related Factors

Protein-drug binding, a pivotal aspect of pharmacokinetics, is subject to considerable variability influenced by an array of patient-related factors. The intricate interplay of age, individual differences, and pathological conditions significantly impact the binding dynamics and subsequent pharmacological effects.
Age stands as a key determinant in protein-drug binding. Neonates, characterized by low albumin content, experience heightened concentrations of unbound drugs such as phenytoin and...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...