The Relationship Between Serum Vitamin D Levels and the Severity of Headache in Children with Migraine

Abstract

Objective: Migraine is a primary episodic headache disorder accompanied by neurological, gastrointestinal, and autonomic changes. The aim of this study is to compare vitamin D levels with the severity of headache in patients with migraine. Methods: A total of 108 children diagnosed with migraine were evaluated. We measured vitamin D levels and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Serum vitamin D was defined as <12 ng/ml insufficiency. Serum vitamin D was defined as deficiency in those with 12-30 ng/ml. Serum vitamin D was defined as normal in those with >30 ng/ml. The severity of the headache was assessed according to the Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS). Results: The mean serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels of migraine patients was 16.6±5.9 ng/ml. As the level of vitamin D decreased, so the severity of the headache increased, with a higher MIDAS grade (p<0.05). No relationship was determined between the MIDAS grade and levels of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (p>0.05). Conclusion: The severity of headache is associated with reduced serum vitamin D levels in children with migraine.