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By MedBrief Staff
A new study suggests that children with low vitamin D levels at the age of 3 are at an increased risk of developing eosinophilic asthma and eosinophilia without asthma by the time they turn 6. The findings highlight a potential link between vitamin D status and childhood respiratory health, opening avenues for further research on preventive strategies.
Study Overview
Researchers conducted a prospective study to investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels at 3 years of age and the subsequent risk of developing eosinophilic asthma. The study included 584 children (40.6% girls) who had been hospitalized for severe bronchiolitis during infancy. Data were collected from 17 medical centers across the United States.
Serum 25(OH)D levels were categorized into three groups: < 20 ng/mL, 20-39.9 ng/mL, and ≥ 40 ng/mL. Eosinophil counts were measured at infancy (less than 1 year old) and again at ages 3 and 6. Children were classified into four groups based on their 6-year asthma and eosinophilia status: those with eosinophilic asthma, non-eosinophilic asthma, eosinophilia without asthma, and neither condition.
Key Findings
- By age 6, 58.2% of the study participants had developed eosinophilia, while 28.8% had been diagnosed with asthma.
- Children with serum 25(OH)D levels below 20 ng/mL at 3 years old were more likely to develop eosinophilic asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.33; P = .01) and eosinophilia without asthma (aOR, 1.82; P = .04) compared to those with 25(OH)D levels of 20-39.9 ng/mL.
- Higher continuous serum 25(OH)D levels were linked to a lower risk of developing eosinophilic asthma (aOR, 0.79; P = .02).
Clinical Implications
According to the study authors, these findings suggest that early monitoring and possible supplementation of vitamin D in children with a history of severe bronchiolitis could be a potential preventive measure for childhood asthma. “This opens the door to future research on whether early supplementation of vitamin D in children with a history of severe bronchiolitis and eosinophilia will prevent childhood asthma,” they wrote.
Study Limitations
While the study presents compelling findings, it has some limitations. The researchers measured serum 25(OH)D levels at a single time point, which may not fully capture long-term vitamin D status. Additionally, the study lacked participants with very low or very high vitamin D levels, which may impact the generalizability of the results. Other potential influencing factors on vitamin D levels and asthma risk were also not assessed.
Funding and Disclosures
The study, led by George Doumat of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, was published online on January 6, 2025, in Thorax. It was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Readers are encouraged to consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns related to vitamin D levels and respiratory health.
