Saeedeh Farajzadeh; Mahin Aflatoonian; Saman Mohammadi; Hamid Sharifi; Maryam Khalili
Abstract
Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia and vitamin D deficiency maybe involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. This study comparedthe serum levels of vitamin D, homocysteine, vitamin B12, andfolic acid between vitiligo-affected children and healthy children.Methods: Using a case-control design, 30 children ...
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Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia and vitamin D deficiency maybe involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. This study comparedthe serum levels of vitamin D, homocysteine, vitamin B12, andfolic acid between vitiligo-affected children and healthy children.Methods: Using a case-control design, 30 children with vitiligoand 30 age and sex-matched healthy children were enrolledfrom April 2018 to August 2020. Serum levels of vitamin D,homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid were analyzed in bothgroups during the same season of the year. Additionally, theassociation between serum levels of these factors with demographicand clinical features of the children (collected by interview andphysical examination) was evaluated. Data were analyzed usingthe independent T-test, Fisher’s exact test, and chi-squared test.Results: The vitiligo group had significantly lower vitamin Dand folic acid serum levels compared with the control group[95% CI -19.87 to -2.96 and -4.15 to -4.18, respectively]. Amongpatients, the vitamin D level was negatively correlated with age(r = -0.459, P = 0.011) and disease duration (r = -0.373, P = 0.042).Moreover, there was a significant association between vitiligoactivity and serum homocysteine levels (P = 0.027).Conclusion: Routine measurement of vitamin D and folic acidserum levels might be suggested, especially in children withlong-standing disease. Monitoring the homocysteine level maybe beneficial, particularly in children with progressive vitiligo.
