Hypovitaminosis D in Children with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Abstract

Purpose: Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency plays a role in the initiation and perpetuation of certain autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study was to measure the vitamin D status of children with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and compare it to their healthy peers. Methods: A total of 50 FMF patients and 49 healthy children were enrolled in this prospective study. Vitamin D levels were measured via HPLC. Demographic data, FMF symptom severity scores and the levels of other disease activity markers were retrieved from our hospital database. Results: The mean age and gender balance of patients and controls were similar, being 8.4±3.8 years and 19 male patients, and 9.1±3.0 years and 25 male controls, respectively. The mean 25(-OH) vitamin D3 levels were 15.94±9.66 µg/L in FMF patients and 41.22±21.31 µg/L in controls. Vitamin D levels were normal in 12% of FMF patients, insufficient in 62% and deficient in 26%. No vitamin D deficiency was evident in any control subject; 30% had insufficient and 70% had normal vitamin D levels. Plasma vitamin D3 levels were similar in all patients despite varying FMF symptom severity scores. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in children with FMF but is not associated with disease severity score.