Migraine and vitamin D levels and the severity of headache in children

Abstract

Introduction: A migraine is a condition where there is a headache that can cause severe throbbing paining or a pulsing sensation of pain on unilateral side of the head. It is a primary episodic headache disorder which is due to neurological, gastrointestinal, central nervous system and autonomic changes. The prime aim of the study was to determine the levels of vitamin D associated with the severity of headache in patients with migraine. Methods: A total number of 108 children diagnosed with migraine were evaluated. Levels of vitamin D and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 were measured by using ELISA method (enzyme-linked immunoassay). Serum vitamin D levels were defined as 30ng/ml. The severity of the headache was determined according to the MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment Score)., Results: The mean serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels of migraine patients were 18.6±4.9 ng/ml. As the level of vitamin D decreased, so the severity of the headache increased, with a higher Migraine Disability Assessment score grade (p 0.05) which shows closer inverse proportional association of vitamin-D levels with migraine. Conclusion: The high levels of headache are associated with reduced serum vitamin D levels in children with migraine.