Association between Plasma Level of Vitamin D and Tonsillar Hypertrophy in Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy

Abstract

Background and Objects: Vitamin D effects on body immune system. Tonsils as a part of immune system have active role in transferring foreign material into lymphoid cells and diagnosis of antigens. Tonsil hypertrophy with difficulty in breathing or ingestion is one of the indications of tonsillectomy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate association between plasma level of vitamin D and tonsil hypertrophy. Method: This case control study was done on 200 children that admitted to Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) clinic, divided into 2 groups. Case group included 100 patients that had tonsil hypertrophy (grade 3 or 4)which accompanied with signs such as snoring. These patients were candidate for tonsillectomy. Control group didn’t have any related disease and didn’t take any drugs. In addition to completing questionnaire, plasma level of 25(OH) vitamin D was measured by Electro Chemi Luminescence (ECL) and all data were analyzed by statistical methods in SPSS version 16. Results: Plasma level of vitamin D in males was significantly higher than females. In people with tonsil hypertrophy, plasma level of vitamin D was significantly lower than control group but there was no relationship between plasma level of vitamin D and tonsil size. 95 of people (47.5%) had vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency had no difference in both groups’ but was more prevalent in case group (65% in case group versus 35% in control group) and was significantly higher in males than females. Conclusion: results showed that plasma level of vitamin D in females and patients with tonsil hypertrophy is lower and vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in children with tonsil hypertrophy. Thus, another study should be designed to confirm correlation between vitamin D and tonsil diseases and after confirmation, use of vitamin D supplements should be considered in patients with tonsil diseases.