Sanguesa J, Sunyer J, Garcia-Esteban R, Abellan A, Esplugues A, Garcia-Aymerich J, Guxens M, Irizar A, Julvez J, Luque-Garcia L, Rodriguez-Dehli AC, Tardon A, Torrent M, Vioque J, Vrijheid M, Casas M. Prenatal and child vitamin D levels and allergy and asthma in childhood. Pediatr Res. 2023 May;93(6):1745-51. doi: 10.1038/s41390-022-02256-9.


BACKGROUND: Early-life vitamin D deficiency may impair immune system development contributing to allergy and asthma onset. Findings from prospective studies are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether maternal and child vitamin D levels are associated with allergic and asthma-related symptoms throughout childhood in a Spanish birth cohort.

METHODS: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels were measured in the serum of pregnant women (N = 2525) and children (N = 803). Information on allergic and asthma-related symptoms was obtained from repeated questionnaires from 1 to 9 years.

RESULTS: A total of 19% of mothers and 24% of children had deficient 25(OH)D3 levels (<20 ng/ml). Higher child 25(OH)D3 levels at 4 years were associated with lower odds of atopic eczema from 4 to 9 years (adjusted odds ratio = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.84-0.97 per 5 ng/ml). Higher maternal and child 25(OH)D3 levels were associated with a lower prevalence of late-onset wheezing at the limit of statistical significance (adjusted relative risk ratio (RRRadj) = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.74-1.00 and RRRadj = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.58-1.02 per 5 ng/ml, respectively). All the remaining associations were null.

CONCLUSION: Child 25(OH)D3 levels at pre-school age are associated with a reduced odds of atopic eczema in later childhood and both maternal and child levels may reduce the prevalence of late-onset wheezing.

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