OBJECTIVETo examine the changes in 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25-(OH)D] level in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and its clinical significance.

METHODSA total of 92 HSP children were included in this study, and were divided into HSP nephritis (HSPN) group (31 cases) and HSP group (61 cases) based on the presence or absence of HSPN. Alternatively, the patients were divided into purpura alone group (22 cases), purpura with joint symptoms group (joint symptom group, 24 cases), purpura with gastrointestinal symptoms group (gastrointestinal symptom group, 20 cases), and purpura with joint and gastrointestinal symptoms (mixed group, 26 cases) based on their clinical symptoms. In addition, 42 healthy children were selected as healthy control group. The level of 25-(OH)Din each group was measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay.

RESULTSThe 25-(OH)Dlevel in the HSP and HSPN groups was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group (P<0.05), and the 25-(OH)Dlevel in the HSPN group was significantly lower than that in the HSP group (P<0.05). Although there was no significant difference in the 25-(OH)Dlevel between the joint symptom, gastrointestinal symptom, and mixed groups (P=0.22), the 25-(OH)Dlevel in the three groups was all significantly lower than that in the purpura alone group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe level of 25-(OH)Dis reduced in children with HSP, particularly those with HSPN or with joint and gastrointestinal symptoms. Therefore, the reduction in 25-(OH)Dlevel may serve as a predictor of whether HSP is associated with other impairments.