An evaluation of vitamin D levels in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis during pollen season.

Background: Serum vitamin D levels have not been studied in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D levels of children with SAR and to compare them to levels in healthy children during pollen season.

Methods: This study was conducted in 100 children with SAR and 100 healthy controls. Clinical and laboratory evaluations and vitamin D analyses of all the participants were performed between the months of April and July. Pollen sensitization was detected in the patient group using a skin prick test. 25(OH)D levels were compared between the patient and control groups. Associations among the patient 25(OH)D levels and their demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were analyzed.

Results: Overall, 72% of the patients were male, the median age was 12.35 years (range: 6-17.8 years), and the median body mass index value was 19.15 (range: 13.6-27.8). There were no differences between the patients and healthy controls in terms of gender, age, or body mass index. The mean levels of 25(OH)D (20.78±6) in patients were higher than those of the controls (17.92±4). In the patient group, no associations were found among 25(OH)D levels, demographic characteristics, atopy test results, atopy history, severity of rhinitis, and the total four symptoms score (all P>.05).

Conclusions: During pollen season, children with SAR may have higher vitamin D levels than healthy controls. The presence of asthma and/or atopic dermatitis in addition to SAR did not change this result.