Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Relationship of maternal vitamin D level with maternal and infant respiratory disease
Kecia N Carroll1, Tebeb Gebretsadik, Emma K Larkin
1Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to investigate the association of maternal vitamin D and maternal asthma and infant respiratory infection severity.
Study Design:
The study included cross-sectional analyses of 340 mother-infant dyads enrolled from September to May 2004-2008 during an infant viral respiratory infection. Maternal vitamin D levels were determined from enrollment blood specimens. At enrollment, we determined self-reported maternal asthma and infant respiratory infection severity using a bronchiolitis score. We assessed the association of maternal vitamin D levels and maternal asthma and infant bronchiolitis score in race-stratified multivariable regression models.
Results:
The cohort was 70% white, 19% African American, and 21% had asthma. Overall, the median maternal vitamin D level was 20 ng/mL (interquartile range, 14-28). Among white women, a 14 ng/mL increase in vitamin D was associated with a decreased odds of asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.86). Maternal vitamin D was not associated with infant bronchiolitis score.
Conclusion:
Higher maternal vitamin D levels were associated with decreased odds of asthma.
Related Concept Videos
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Development of Human Microbiota
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
