title: Tear and serum vitamin D levels in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although solid cohort studies confirmed a preventative role for the anti-oxidant vitamin D in allergic asthma, a limited number of studies focused on allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC). Here, we aimed to determine 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels in tear and serum in young allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients as compared to their apparently healthy matched controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 22 children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and 31 healthy control subjects underwent serum total IgE and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol measurements. Tear levels of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol were also determined in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum total IgE level in the ARC group (143.6±132.8IU/ml) was significantly higher than that in the control group (54.8±44.1IU/ml; p=0.03). Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly higher in the ARC group (34.1±12.7ng/ml) than in the healthy controls (21.8±11.3ng/ml; p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To our knowledge, this is the first reported study to show an association between serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and ARC in a childhood group. Higher levels of serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis may indicate a possible aetiopathogenic mechanism in the development of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. This is also the first report to examine tear fluid vitamin D levels in paediatric ARC patients.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey. Electronic address: sevilbilir@yahoo.com.
authors: Sevil Bilir
authors: SB
authors: Goksugur
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
authors: Mesut
authors: M
authors: Erdurmus
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
authors: Mervan
authors: M
authors: Bekdas
authors: Department of Pediatric Allergy, Medical Faculty, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Erkocoglu
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
authors: Sumeyra
authors: S
authors: Agca
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Tosun
authors: Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
authors: Nadir
authors: N
authors: Goksugur
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Demircioglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D044967:Serum / Q000378:metabolism*; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014815:Vitamins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D002112:Calcifediol
keywords: Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis; Immunoglobulin E; Tear; Vitamin D