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Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and infancy reduces aeroallergen sensitization: a randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Grant C. C.,
Crane J.,
Mitchell E. A.,
Sinclair J.,
Stewart A.,
Milne T.,
Knight J.,
Gilchrist C.,
Camargo C. A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.12909
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , placebo , bronchitis , bronchiolitis , vitamin d and neurology , pregnancy , otitis , respiratory tract infections , wheeze , pediatrics , respiratory infection , aeroallergen , randomized controlled trial , immunology , allergy , respiratory system , surgery , allergen , alternative medicine , pathology , biology , genetics
Abstract Background Vitamin D has immune‐modulating effects. We determined whether vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and infancy prevents aeroallergen sensitization and primary care respiratory illness presentations. Methods A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled parallel‐group trial. We assigned pregnant women, from 27‐week gestation to birth, and then their infants, from birth to 6 months, to placebo or one of two dosages of daily oral vitamin D. Woman/infant pairs were randomized to: placebo/placebo, 1000 IU /400 IU or 2000 IU /800 IU . When the children were 18 months old, we measured serum‐specific IgE antibodies and identified acute primary care visits described by the doctor to be due to a cold, otitis media, an upper respiratory infection, croup, asthma, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, a wheezy lower respiratory infection or fever and cough. Results Specific IgE was measured on 185 of 260 (71%) enrolled children. The proportion of children sensitized differed by study group for four mite antigens: Dermatophagoides farinae (Der‐f1, Der‐f2) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der‐p1, Der‐p2). With results presented for placebo, lower dose, and higher dose vitamin D, respectively (all P < 0.05): Der‐f1 (18%, 10%, 2%), Der‐f2 (14%, 3%, 2%), Der‐p1 (19%, 14%, 3%) and Der‐p2 (12%, 2%, 3%). There were study group differences in the proportion of children with primary care visits described by the doctor as being for asthma (11%, 0%, 4%, P = 0.002), but not for the other respiratory diagnoses. Conclusions Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and infancy reduces the proportion of children sensitized to mites at age 18 months. Preliminary data indicate a possible effect on primary care visits where asthma is diagnosed.