Two studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that maternal intakes of Vitamin D during pregnancy are related to the occurence of wheeze in 3 and 5 year olds.
Both studies were conducted in Boston and included data from more than 2000 parent child pairs. Data was collected by mothers during pregnancy and then symptoms and health in their offspring was assessed several years later.
In the first study women completed a food frequency questionaire to assess total Vitamin D intake, both from food and from supplements. The average daily intake was just above 540 IU, which is near the RDA of 400 IU for Vitamin D.
The children born to these women were assessed at the age of 3 for symptoms of asthma including recurrent wheeze. About 16% of children in this first study were identified as suffering from recurrent wheeze.
When incidence of recurrent wheeze was compared to maternal Vitamin D intake, a definite effect of Vitamin D was observed. And the relationship was not dependent on the source of Vitamin D, either supplemental or dietary was effective.
Children born to mothers who were in the group with the highest intake of Vitamin D had a 61 percent decrease in the risk for recurrent wheeze compared to women in the lowest group based on intake. Furthermore, for each 100 IU increase in Vitamin D intake, recurrent wheeze risk was reduced by 19 percent!
In the second study slightly more mother child pairs were enrolled and wheeze was assessed at 5 years of age instead of 3 years. The risk in this study was 52 percent lower in the group with the highest Vitamin D intake compared to the group with the lowest intake.
The findings in each study are very similar and point to an easy solution to lower the rate of wheeze in children, especially those who are at risk for developing asthma.
A definate drawback to these studies is the lack of assessment for sun exposure, which is the primary source of Vitamin D for many who are lucky enought to live in an area with moderate sunshine throughout the year. Perhaps Boston does not fall into this category so the researchers did not think to include it in the analysis.
Vitamin D is a safe and inexpensive supplement. It is also found in dairy foods and meats. Exposure to sunlight also causes a chemical reaction in the skin that produces an active form of the Vitamin.
Look for more information about the help benefits of Vitamin D. It has been coorelated to reduce allergy symptoms, improve mood, reduce the risk of cancer, and support strong bone health.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on March 23, 2007 02:49 PM
