Status of Vitamin D in Childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and its Relation with the Disease Activity

A BSTRACT Objective: This study aims to determine the vitamin D level in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) and its association with disease activity both before and after vitamin D supplementation. Methods: This prospective study was done over 18 months (Feb 2019–July 2020) in a tertiary care center in Eastern India on 52 cases and 52 age-and sex-matched controls. Baseline vitamin D level and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) were assessed and compared at 3 months follow-up after vitamin D supplementation in those having serum vitamin D <20 ng/ml and SLEDAI <12 at baseline. Results: cSLE cases had a significantly lower prevalence ( P = 0.011) of vitamin D sufficiency than the controls. Vitamin D supplementation was given to all cases with serum vitamin D levels <20 ng/ml. Follow-up serum vitamin D was found to be significantly inversely correlated with respective SLEDAI-2K scores (r = -0.594, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are highly prevalent among children with SLE. Following supplementation with oral vitamin D, there is significant improvement in disease activity in these children. Therefore, assessment of vitamin D levels should be routinely done in cSLE patients and its supplementation may be considered in those with low levels to reduce morbidity.