Serum vitamin D in Indian children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

AIM: To determine the vitamin D levels in vernal keratoconjunctivitis(VKC)patients in Indian population.METHODS:A total of 30 non-atopic healthy children and 30 children having VKC were included in the study. The serum vitamin D levels and the time spent outside was compared between the two groups(PRESULTS: The mean serum vitamin D level in the VKC group was significantly lower(mean 19.17±10.76 ng/mL)compared to the control group(mean 31.19±9.09 ng/mL)(P=0.0003). The vitamin D levels were found to be deficient(10-20 ng/mL)in 43.33%, whereas severe deficiency(PPr=0.478, PCONCLUSION:The study shows that children with VKC had a significantly lower serum vitamin D levels as compared to the healthy children which correlated with time spent outside. The severity of VKC also correlated with the severity of vitamin D deficiency which suggests that vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining ocular surface health.

Keywords

• vernal keratoconjunctivitis
• vitamin d deficiency
• children