Response to the letter,

Our study focused on exploring the significance of vitamin D levels and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms with the risk of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the South Indian population comprising 334 participants (120 T1D patients and 214 controls) belonging to 120 families (comprising parents, first degree relatives and 36 trios).

The study found that vitamin D deficiency was more common in patients with T1D than their unaffected relatives. The study limitations were highlighted as given below in the article published,

“As this study was structured for a family-based approach, the small sample size is the foremost limitation. A comprehensive familial study with large sample size, DNA sequencing, and gene expression evaluations are necessary to clarify the role of the VDR gene variants on T1D in the future. Furthermore, factors possibly influencing serum vitamin D synthesis, such as intake of supplements, obesity, liver and kidney diseases, and cutaneous factors, were not investigated” (1).

Thus, the comment is a replica of the study limitations provided.

Mariakuttikan Jayalakshmi, on behalf of all authors.