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Serum Vitamin D Level and Body Mass Index in Children with Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Gonul Karatas Durusoy1, Yalcin Karakucuk2, Beril Tulu Aygun3

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Ersin Arslan Training and Research Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey.

Beyoglu Eye Journal
|January 31, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) have lower serum vitamin D levels and higher body mass index (BMI) compared to healthy children. This study highlights a potential link between vitamin D deficiency, elevated BMI, and VKC in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a severe allergic eye disease affecting children.
  • Vitamin D deficiency and obesity are increasingly recognized as global health issues with potential systemic implications.
  • The relationship between VKC, vitamin D status, and body mass index (BMI) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D3] levels and body mass index (BMI) in children diagnosed with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving 46 children with VKC and 40 healthy, non-atopic children.
  • Serum 25(OH)D3 levels and BMI values were measured and statistically analyzed between the two groups.

Main Results:

  • Children with VKC exhibited significantly lower mean serum vitamin D levels (14.06±5.02 ng/mL) compared to healthy controls (19.01±5.66 ng/mL).
  • The VKC group presented with a significantly higher mean BMI (17.1±2.5 kg/m² ) than the control group (16.5±2.3 kg/m²).
  • A significant negative correlation was found between serum vitamin D levels and BMI in the study population (Spearman's rho=-0.275; p=0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Children suffering from VKC demonstrate lower serum vitamin D concentrations and elevated BMI compared to their healthy peers.
  • These findings suggest a potential role for vitamin D deficiency and higher BMI in the pathophysiology or exacerbation of VKC in children.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the clinical implications and potential therapeutic strategies targeting vitamin D and BMI in VKC management.
Abstract

Keywords:
Body mass indexcorrelationserum 25 (OH)D3vernal keratoconjunctivitisvitamin D deficiency

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