Vitamin D levels in children with growth pain

Growing pains are the most common cause of recurrent non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain in children. Detailed history and physical examination are common sufficient for diagnosis. Because of its etiology cannot be fully clarified, different treatment approaches can be utilized. The level and effect of vitamin D, which can affect many bodily functions on children with growing pains have been evaluated in this study. One hundred thirty eight children with growing pains and 30 children without it as control group were included in the study. Growing pains was most common in girls and as a lower extremity pain usually experienced at night. Growing pains responded to non-pharmacological treatment methods and sometimes should be required the pharmacological treatment. Similar to previous studies, children with growing pains were diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency. With the replacement of deficient vitamin D, it was found that the pain in children usually decreased and this was also confirmed by their parents. In conclusion, pain as a symptom is a clinical manifestation which should be treated primarily via non-pharmacological methods, and if necessary, via pharmacological methods also. Although growing pains are usually self-limiting clinical conditions, supportive treatment is required after differential diagnosis due to the anxiety of parents. It was revealed in the study that vitamin D deficiency should be diagnosed and vitamin D support should be given especially to children whose complaints extend beyond the treatment. Key words: Growing pains, vitamin D, children.