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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
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Vitamin D and asthma in children
Atul Gupta1, Andrew Bush, Catherine Hawrylowicz
1Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital & Imperial College London, MRC & Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London. atulgupta@doctors.org.uk
Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
|October 17, 2012
Summary
Vitamin D insufficiency is common in children with asthma, linked to worse symptoms and lung function. Further research is needed to understand vitamin D
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is rising due to lifestyle changes.
- Severe deficiency causes musculoskeletal issues; insufficiency is linked to other disorders, including asthma.
- Vitamin D is increasingly recognized for its role in pulmonary health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in children with asthma.
- To explore the link between vitamin D levels and asthma severity in pediatric populations.
- To summarize potential therapeutic implications of vitamin D in asthma management.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of epidemiological and in vitro studies.
- Analysis of data linking serum vitamin D levels to asthma outcomes in children.
- Examination of vitamin D's proposed mechanisms in airway inflammation and immunity.
Main Results:
- Children with asthma have an increased risk of vitamin D insufficiency.
- Low vitamin D levels in asthmatic children correlate with increased symptoms, exacerbations, reduced lung function, and severe disease.
- Vitamin D may enhance steroid responsiveness and modulate inflammation and innate immunity in the airways.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D plays a potential role in maintaining airway homeostasis and asthma control.
- More research is necessary to clarify vitamin D's diagnostic and therapeutic potential in pediatric asthma.
- Addressing vitamin D insufficiency may be a future strategy in managing childhood asthma.
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