Vitamin D levels in children with sleep terror: Analytical cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate 25(OH) vitamin D levels in children with sleep terror compared to those in normal controls.

Materials and Methods: In this study, we enrolled 81 children diagnosed with sleep terrors and 81 normal control children of similar ages. We analyzed plasma 25(OH) vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone levels. Levels of 25(OH) vitamin D less than 20 ng/ml were interpreted as representing vitamin D deficiency, while levels of 20-30 ng/ml indicated vitamin D insufficiency.

Results: The mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D level of children with sleep terror was 23.29 +/- 10.39 ng/ml, which was significantly lower than in the control group at 29.07 +/- 8.32 ng/ml (p<0.001). Children with sleep terror with frequent attacks had lower 25(OH) vitamin D levels than those without frequent attacks (p<0.001).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated a greater prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency among children with sleep terror. We now need further studies with larger series investigating the effect of vitamin D replacement on sleep terror.