Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2 Department of Dermatology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3 HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia and vitamin D deficiency may
be involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. This study compared
the serum levels of vitamin D, homocysteine, vitamin B12, and
folic acid between vitiligo-affected children and healthy children.
Methods: Using a case-control design, 30 children with vitiligo
and 30 age and sex-matched healthy children were enrolled
from April 2018 to August 2020. Serum levels of vitamin D,
homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid were analyzed in both
groups during the same season of the year. Additionally, the
association between serum levels of these factors with demographic
and clinical features of the children (collected by interview and
physical examination) was evaluated. Data were analyzed using
the independent T-test, Fisher’s exact test, and chi-squared test.
Results: The vitiligo group had significantly lower vitamin D
and folic acid serum levels compared with the control group
[95% CI -19.87 to -2.96 and -4.15 to -4.18, respectively]. Among
patients, 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 vitiligo
activity and serum homocysteine levels (P = 0.027).
Conclusion: Routine measurement of vitamin D and folic acid
serum levels might be suggested, especially in children with
long-standing disease. Monitoring the homocysteine level may
be beneficial, particularly in children with progressive vitiligo.
Keywords
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