Vitamin D serum levels in children with allergic and vasomotor rhinitis

Purpose: Vitamin D, beyond its established roles in regulating calcium-phosphorus homeostasis and bone metabolism, is recognized as an immune modulator. Recently, there has been growing global interest in its association with allergic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and allergic or vasomotor rhinitis (AR/VR) in children.
Methods: The study included 164 children aged 0 to 16 years, comprising 59 patients with AR, 42 with VR, and 63 healthy controls. Measurements included serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, total and specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophil cationic protein levels, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, and skin prick test results.
Results: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were 19.0±8.5 ng/mL in the AR group, 25.5±10.9 ng/mL in the VR group, and 26.9±10.7 ng/mL in the control group. After adjusting for body mass index and seasonal variations at the time of blood sampling, vitamin D levels were significantly lower in the AR group compared to the VR group (P=0.003) and the control group AR-42 (P<0.001). Additionally, vitamin D levels were inversely correlated with total IgE levels (r=-0.317, P<0.001). However, AR patients with comorbid food allergy or atopic dermatitis did not exhibit lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels than those without these conditions.
Conclusion: This study suggests a potential link between low vitamin D levels and allergic rhinitis in Korean children.