The Effect of B12 and D Vitamines On The Severity of Primary Headache Attacks In Children

Objective: To investigate the effects of vitamin B12(vB12) and vitamin D(vD) levels on the severity of attacks of primary headache. Materials and methods: Patients who applied to Pediatric Neurology Outpatient Clinic between January 2021-January 2022 diagnosed with primary headache were included in the study. Frequency and severity of headache periods, vB12, vD levels were recorded. Patients were grouped as vitamin deficient and non-vitamin deficient and compared in terms of headache frequency, severity and duration. Results: A total of 121 patients applied, mean age 14.4 ± 3.4 (5-18), 79(66.2%) female, 42(33.8%) male. The mean duration of headache onset was 16.6 months (1-96 months). Ninety(72%) patients had headache symptoms in their families, and 55(44%) had positive family history for primary headache. Ninety-two(76%) had vD deficiency and 20(16.5%) had vB12 deficiency. No significance was found between groups in terms of headache duration, frequency, severity. Conclusion: Migraine is associated with neurogenic inflammation and tension-headache is associated with pericranial muscle tenderness and psychosocial stress. VB12 and vD deficiencies increase muscle tenderness and frequency of depression. In addition, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of vB12 and vD are known. We thought that vitamin deficiencies would increase the severity, frequency and duration of pain, but our study did not support this. This may have been caused by the low number of individuals, the fact that it was single-center study, and the low levels of vitamins in general. Further studies are needed.