Association between vitamin D status and allergen sensitization in pediatric subjects in the Balearic Islands

Vitamin D has known effects on the immune system, and its deficiency has been associated with allergen sensitization. Material and methods A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the association between 25(OH)vitamin D (25(OH)D) and specific IgE for the most frequent allergens in our area in children and adolescents. All subjects under 15 years of age with a determination of Phadiatop ® or Phadiatop Infant ® and close serum 25(OH)D determination were included, from 2012 to 2019. From this sample, demographic and analytical variables were collected: specific IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; dog and cat dander; grass, olive, and pellitory pollens; egg white; and cow milk; as well as complete blood count analysis and immunoglobulins. Results A total of 749 subjects were recruited. Clusters according to deficiency, insufficiency, or sufficiency of 25(OH)D showed an association with age, Phadiatop ® , D .  pteronyssinus , cat and dog dander specific IgE, and a higher frequency of positive allergen sensitization ( P  < .05). Logistic regression, compared with vitamin D levels of greater than 30 ng/mL after age adjustment, showed that deficient 25(OH)D was associated with D .  pteronyssinus (OR 1.90; 95% CI, 1.25‐2.90) and dog dander (OR, 2.10; 1.10‐4.02); whereas insufficient 25(OH)D was associated with cat dander (OR, 2.46; 1.15‐5.28) and also with D .  pteronyssinus (OR, 1.55; 1.06‐2.29) ( P  < .05). No associations were found between 25(OH) D levels and other analytical parameters. Conclusion Vitamin D status is associated with sensitization to D .  pteronyssinus , and cat and dog dander in children and adolescents, and also with a higher number of positive specific IgE.