Serum Vitamin D Level in Children with and without Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

For years, vitamin D has been associated to many immune disorders. Several studies have shown association between low serum 25 OH vitamin D and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Objective: To compare 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25 OHD) level in T1DM patients to non-diabetic children hospitalized or seen in emergency for other diseases at the same period. Methods: It was a case-control study including 29 patients with T1DM and 28 non - diabetic control children. They were comparable in age, gender, weight, length, BMI and season of blood sampling. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected and 25OHD serum level was measured with a radioimmunoassay kit. Results: 25OHD level was significantly lower in diabetic patients (mean: 19.62 ng/ml, range 15-26 ng/ml) than in control patients (24.64 ng/ml, 20-28 ng/ml), p=0.00. All participants (T1DM patients and controls) had inadequate levels of vitamin D. Conclusion: Children with T1DM have lower vitamin D levels than control group.