Vitamin D deficiency and its impact on asthma severity in asthmatic children

Abstract

BackgroundDespite obtaining evidences on association between vitamin D and development of lung in fetus, little is known about vitamin D level and its impact on severity of asthma in children. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between the asthma severity and vitamin D deficiency in asthmatic children.MethodsThis case-control study was conducted on 106 individuals including asthmatic (n = 53) and healthy children (n = 53) who referred to Mofid hospital in Tehran in 2013. The level of serum vitamin D in both groups was measured by radioimmunoassay method at the reference lab and was categorized as sufficient (> 30 ng/ml), insufficient (20 to 30 ng/ml), or deficient (< 20 ng/ml). The control status of asthma in patients group was classified as controlled, partially controlled, and uncontrolled.ResultsIn the groups with and without asthma, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 73.6 and 49.1%, and the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was 18.9 and 18.9%, while normal vitamin D level was revealed in 7.5 and 32.1%, respectively with a significant difference (p = 0.005). Using the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of asthma was associated with reduced level of vitamin D (OR = 1.068, 95% CI: 1.027–1.110, P = 0.001). In this context, the risk for asthma in the children with vitamin D deficiency was 6.3 times of those with normal vitamin D level. Although the presence of asthma was strongly associated with reduced level of vitamin D in serum, neither severity of asthma nor control status of asthma were associated with vitamin D deficiency.ConclusionThe presence of vitamin D deficiency effectively predict increased risk for childhood asthma; however the severity or control status of this event may not be predicted by confirming vitamin D deficiency.

The Role of Vitamin D in the Immune System as a Pro-survival Molecule

“…Low serum levels of 25(OH)D 3 or calcidiol have recently been associated with a decreased risk of asthma in childhood but an increased risk for eczema, 187 whereas most epidemiologic surveys and studies highlight a different landscape on this great concern. [188][189][190] The possibility, therefore, of ascertaining vitamin D's actual part in chronic allergy seems to be hampered by the complex role exerted by this hormonal molecule in innate immunity. [191][192][193][194] Particularly controversial is the role of vitamin D in atopic dermatitis.…”

Advances in paediatrics in 2016: current practices and challenges in allergy, autoimmune diseases, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, neonatology, nephrology, neurology, nutrition, pulmonology

“…Among risk factors, Montella et al [ 2 ] reported that severe asthma was also associated with food sensitization but not with environmental exposure, comorbidities, medication adherence, exhaled nitric oxide levels, blood eosinophils and serum IgE levels. Asthmatics with vitamin D deficiency have been found to be not at risk for severe asthma [ 7 ]. However, the presence of asthma was strongly associated with low vitamin D levels in serum [ 7 , 8 ].…”

“…Asthmatics with vitamin D deficiency have been found to be not at risk for severe asthma [ 7 ]. However, the presence of asthma was strongly associated with low vitamin D levels in serum [ 7 , 8 ]. Treatment of asthma with vitamin D in schoolchildren was the aim of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial [ 9 ].…”

Vitamin D Levels in Pediatric Asthma: A Comparative Study

“…7 Though many studies have favored the notion that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of recurrent wheezing and eventually development of asthma in pediatric age group there are other studies which have failed to demonstrate the beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation on prevention of childhood asthma. 8 Similarly, the issue of antenatal vitamin D supplementation to pregnancy women for preventing development of asthma in children is the topic of intense debate amongst researchers and no unanimous guidelines exist in this regard. 9 In pediatric age group vitamin D status of the patients can be determined by estimation of 25 hydroxycholecalciferol.…”