Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Effect of vitamin D supplementation on moderate to severe bronchial asthma
1Department of Pediatrics, Rao Tula Ram Memorial Hospital, New Delhi, India, madhushrikrishanyadav3@gmail.com.
Insights
Vitamin D supplementation significantly improved asthma control in children. Monthly vitamin D doses reduced exacerbations, steroid needs, and emergency visits, enhancing overall respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Nutritional Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting children worldwide.
- Standard treatments for moderate to severe asthma often require adjunct therapies to improve outcomes.
- Vitamin D's role in immune modulation suggests potential benefits in inflammatory airway diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of vitamin D as an add-on therapy for children with moderate to severe bronchial asthma.
- To assess the impact of vitamin D supplementation on asthma control, exacerbations, and medication requirements.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 100 children with moderate to severe asthma.
- Participants received either 60,000 IU of oral vitamin D3 monthly or a placebo for six months, alongside standard GINA guideline treatment.
- Outcomes assessed monthly included asthma severity, control levels, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), steroid dosage, exacerbations, and emergency visits.
Main Results:
- Vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced the frequency of asthma exacerbations compared to placebo (p=0.011).
- A significant increase in PEFR was observed in the vitamin D treatment group (p=0.000).
- Vitamin D significantly decreased the need for steroids (p=0.013) and emergency visits (p=0.015), and reduced asthma severity (p=0.016).
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D supplementation plays a significant role as an adjunct therapy in managing moderate to severe persistent bronchial asthma in children.
- Early asthma control was achieved in children receiving vitamin D.
- Vitamin D offers a beneficial therapeutic option to improve clinical outcomes in pediatric asthma management.
Objective:
To define the therapeutic role of vitamin D in children with moderate to severe bronchial asthma as an adjunct to standard treatment.
Methods:
Hundred asthmatic children of either sex, attending the respiratory and asthma clinic were enroled in the study. Diagnosis was made on the basis of history and clinical examination. Randomization was done using sealed opaque envelop method. In addition to the treatment as per GINA guidelines, one group received oral vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) 60,000 IU per month for 6 mo and the other group received placebo powder in the form of glucose sachet with a double blinded design. Monthly follow up of every patient was done and during every visit change in severity, level of control, Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), steroid dosage, number of exacerbations and number of emergency visits were assessed.
Results:
Monthly doses of 60,000 IU vitamin D significantly reduced the number of exacerbations as compared to placebo (p = 0.011). PEFR significantly increased in the treatment group (p = 0.000). Monthly doses of vitamin D significantly reduced the requirement of steroids (p = 0.013) and emergency visits (p = 0.015). Control of asthma was achieved earlier in patients who received monthly vitamin D. Vitamin D significantly reduced the level of severity of asthma patients over 6 mo of treatment (p = 0.016).
Conclusions:
Vitamin D has a definite role in the management of moderate to severe persistent bronchial asthma as an adjunct to standard treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:30Asthma-IV: Nursing Management
First, in...
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce...