Vitamin D Levels in Children With Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

Abstract

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is one of the most prevalent oral mucosa diseases and the etiology is unclear. As a potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating agent, vitamin D can significantly affect oral cavity homeostasis. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted in pediatric population on the potential role of vitamin D in recurrent aphthous stomatitis to date. The aim of the present study is to determine the vitamin D status in recurrent aphthous stomatitis in children. Methods: This study is conducted retrospectively. Seventy-two patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis and 70 age-matched healthy controls included in the study. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured in all patients using enzyme immunoassay. Results: Serum vitamin D levels were 16.4 (8.6) ng/mL in patient group and 23.1 (11.5) ng/mL in healthy controls. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of serum vitamin D levels ( P = .002). There was no significant correlation between serum vitamin D levels and the severity of the recurrent aphthous stomatitis ( r = 0.54, P = .76). Conclusions: Our study showed a significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and the healthy control group. We also found no correlation between vitamin D status and the severity of the disease.