25(OH)D3 levels in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Objective: In this prospective study, we investigated the serum vitamin D levels [serum 25(OH)D3 levels] in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC). Methods: Sixty-one children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (study group) and 61 healthy children (control group) were included into the study. The children in the study group had an allergy against at least one active agent at skin-prick test; a total of 5 Symptoms Score (T5SS) was obtained for vitamin D [25(OH)D3] levels. Total eosinophil counts and total IgE measurement were performed. Results: In ARC group, median of T5SS scores was 1.00 for each of the rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal congestion and nasal pruritis items. In ARC group, total eosinophil count and total IgE values were also higher than the control group. In ARC group, familial atopy was higher, and sunlight exposure was lower than the control group. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels of the ARC group (median: 15.80 ng/ml) were significantly lower than the control group (18.40 ng/ml). Considering the vitamin D levels being as sufficient/or deficient; it was deficient in 80.3% of the children in the study group and in 57.4% of the children in the control group. In the study group, sunlight exposure was insufficient; and familial atopy was present. In children with sufficient sunlight exposure, serum 25(OH)D3 levels were detected as higher. In children with familial atopy, total IgE and total eosinophil counts also increased. Conclusion: We concluded that vitamin D levels were lower in children with ARC. We recommend children to expose sunlight sufficiently to increase vitamin D levels; and therefore reduce the risk of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.