The Evaluation of Serum Vitamin D Levels in Pediatric Patients With Vesicoureteral Reflux

Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) refers to the pathological return of urine from the bladder to the ureter and then to the kidney in some patients. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with some renal diseases. This study examines the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and urinary reflux.

In this cross-sectional study, 200 children referred to Amir Kabir Hospital in Arak, Iran, were divided into 2 groups of patients with VUR (n=100) and another group of pediatric participants considered healthy and had no findings of VUR (n=100). Confirmation of diagnosis was performed via voiding cystourethrogram. Serum vitamin D levels were evaluated by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method in all participants.

The results showed that the rate of vitamin D deficiency was 38% and 42% in the case and control groups, respectively. Therefore, no significant correlation was observed between the two study groups in terms of vitamin D deficiency. This finding was regardless of VUR complications affecting vitamin D metabolism.

We assume that VUR is a complicated condition with several complications, and the relationship of each complication with vitamin D deficiency has been determined to some extent in previous studies; however, this condition cannot be considered an independent factor leading to vitamin D deficiency.