The role of serum ferritin, vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels in childhood primary headaches

Abstract

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between headache components and serum ferritin, vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels in pediatric patients with migraine and tension-type headache (TTH).
 Methods: The data of patients aged 7-17 years who applied to the outpatient pediatric neurology clinic with a complaint of headache and were diagnosed with migraine and TTH based on the International Classification of Headache Disorder (ICHD)-3 beta criteria were evaluated retrospectively.
 Results: The mean age of the patients was 13.80 ± 3.89 years in the migraine group and 14.10± 4.17 years in the TTH group. In the migraine group, the duration of the attack was longer and the pain intensity was higher. Unilateral headache, throbbing character, nausea, vomiting, discomfort from light and sound were statistically significantly higher in the migraine group. In patients with migraine, low vitamin D and low ferritin levels were associated with a prolongation of the disease duration and an increase in the frequency of attacks. A decrease in serum iron level was associated with an increase in pain severity and a decrease in vitamin D levels was associated with an increase in attack duration. It was observed that there was an increase in the frequency of attacks with a decrease in serum ferritin levels in the TTH group. No statistically significant correlation was found between headache characteristics and vitamin B12.
 Conclusions: Our study shows the necessity of routine evaluation of vitamin D and ferritin levels in childhood primary headaches.